Tackle Junk Addiction In 8 Ways!

By Pooja Kaushal

Many of us are addicted to different kinds of food; unfortunately, most of these are the unhealthy ones. There are so many options in the pre-cooked, ready-to-eat and take-away sections that we are tempted into surrendering ourselves to it. It is a sad state but this is what the world has come to in the name of development. Obesity is our new monster.

The situation may be bad but not out of control. Any kind of addiction is conquerable; all that is needed is a little will power. Unhealthy foods have invaded our homes to a great extent but we can devise ways to tackle food addiction. First and foremost, we need to set an example before the kids by opting for healthier home cooked foods as against the takeaway and processed foods.

The tongue tingling fried foods are quite effective in stimulating the taste buds. But it is very addictive too. It would not be surprising to find yourself developing a fried food addiction if you are not careful about your food habits. However, if you have fallen prey to the fried food monster, it's time to get away.

Read, read and read

Read, read and read

If you have grown up on fried food, then probably you were never told about its disadvantages. It is also possible that you pay little attention to what you eat and go for the easiest option of frying. It is time to become aware and start reading about the effects of fried foods. The more you read, the more you get to learn about the differences between healthy and unhealthy foods.

Stay active

Stay active

When you do nothing, your brain is in an idle state. With nothing to occupy you, the first thing that comes to mind is food. And when hunger strikes in these moments of idleness, it is fried foods that you crave for. Get away from that couch and involve yourself in some activity. Go exercising, take up a new hobby, learn an instrument; the idea is to do something you like to do. You will be surprised to see that the thought of food will not occur to you till you are really hungry.

Have a full breakfast

Have a full breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. One of the most effective ways to tackle food addiction is to have a full and healthy breakfast. This will keep you satisfied for a long period and you will not crave for food.

Have fixed meal times

Have fixed meal times

Make sure that you are not constantly snacking in between meals. As a food addict, you may always be munching on some or the other fried foods and skipping meals. Make it a habit to have a fixed time for meals.

Stock up healthy snacks

Stock up healthy snacks

If you are serious about getting rid of the fried food addiction, then you need to take some drastic steps. Replace all fried food snacks around you with healthier alternatives such as fruits and nuts. These are not only healthy but also filling. After some time, you will develop a taste for them and soon realise their benefits too.

Get rid of ready-to-cook packs

Get rid of ready-to-cook packs

Processed and packaged food are sure to carry additives and preservatives. You get to eat less of real food and more of artificial stuff. When devising ways to tackle food addiction, these ready-to-cook and pre-cooked foods should be the first to go out of the window.

Try alternative cooking methods

Try alternative cooking methods

Frying is surely not the only way of preparing food. Why not give other methods a shot. You will be surprised to see how tasty stir-fried, boiled, steamed or roasted food is. During the cooking process itself, you will be able to smell the aroma and soak in the taste of the food.

Exclusive meal time

Exclusive meal time

One reason why we end up eating just about anything is because we do not pay attention to what we are eating? And the reason behind this is multitasking. How often have you found yourself sitting in front of the TV and having your meals? Turn off all distractions when eating. Pay attention to what is on your plate and enjoy every morsel. The idea is to savour the food rather than gobble it down.

Story first published: Saturday, October 4, 2014, 1:31 [IST]
Read more about: health wellness