How to Ditch the Junk Food for a More Whole Foods Diet
Plus a challenge to help you get started
If you've wanted to phase out the junk foods and add more whole foods into your diet, this challenge is for you! It can sometimes feel like junk foods are more convenient, which will keep you stuck in that cycle of choosing junk foods over healthier options. Or perhaps you weren't fed healthy foods growing up, for various reasons, so you're simply eating what you always have. There are millions of reasons why you may be eating more junk foods than you want, but the good news is that this habit can change it. That's precisely what we are working on this month together. Here are a few tips for you:
Stay ahead of the curve. If you know you get hungry mid-afternoon, prevent running to the vending machine by packing healthy snacks. When healthy options are available, you'll be less likely to reach for junk food options.
Know where to roam in your supermarket. The perimeter aisles of your supermarket are filled with real, fresh foods. The interior aisles are devoted to processed foods. Sure, you'll need to hit them for some items, but aside from that, focus on the perimeter for fresh, whole foods.
Fill up on healthy fats. For a well-rounded diet, you need to eat fat. Things like avocados and nuts help give your body what you need and keep you feeling full. You won't want to snack on junk when your body feels satisfied.
Pump up the protein. Protein is another way to feel nice and full. If you're full, you won't be as likely to grab a donut or bag of chips.
Tackle sweet cravings with fruit. Fruit has loads of vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, and water. It takes some getting used to, but if you start switching to berries, bananas, and other fruits, you'll soon crave those over artificially sweet junk food.
Take care of what's stressing you out. If you keep a food journal, you'll likely see that your emotions are in turmoil when you choose junk food. Instead, work on the root cause of your stresses so you won't turn to junk when you feel harried.
Make sleep a priority. Lack of sleep makes us more prone to junk food cravings. Each night, aim to go to bed a little earlier. You can use the settings on your phone to program a bedtime alarm. This will help you start going to sleep earlier and getting the sleep you need. When you sleep well, you'll make healthier food choices.
Pump up the protein. Protein is another way to feel nice and full. If you're full, you won't be as likely to grab a donut or bag of chips.
Of course, you'll have to take a few weeks to set these new habits in place. But once they're formed, you should be more inclined to go for whole foods over junk foods when you're hungry.
Week 1 is already live in Substack chat! It’s a group chat area where you can follow along with this weekly challenge. Here’s the link:
Look for my upcoming podcast episode all about eating habits according to your zodiac sign! This will give you deeper insight into why you choose the foods that you do and understand how you can make healthier choices. Make sure you’re subscribed to this newsletter so you won’t miss the notification!