Steps for Creating a Healthy Food Environment
by Gina Schlocker, RD, IHC Staff Wellness Coordinator
1/6/2014
One
of the most important ways to achieve a healthy lifestyle is to create an
environment that supports healthy living.
This is true for our physical, mental and social well being.
Although
some aspects of our environment can feel at times out of our control, one
aspect, our food choices, is within our power. This includes at home, work,
school and with our family, friends, and co-workers.
The
following steps will help you get started on the road to a healthier lifestyle
by surrounding yourself with a healthy food environment.
Toss the Junk
Go
through your refrigerator, freezer, and cabinets and throw out the junk foods.
Chips, cookies, ice cream, regular sodas, candies and any other processed foods
you know aren’t good for you and your family.
Throwing away these foods is not wasting since these are harming your
health and are not real food anyway.
Take Time to Meal Plan
When
you plan ahead, you are in control, you are more likely to stick to your
healthy eating and avoid instant gratification junk foods. Use whole foods as ingredients in your meals and
snacks and make extra so you can take homemade foods for lunch during workdays.
Limit eating restaurant foods to once a month.
Make a List
Make a list of foods you need for your meals
before going to the grocery store. If
you are mindful of the barrage of marketing tactics you face during your trip
through the market aisles, you can outsmart the temptations and stick to
purchasing the foods only on your healthy food list. And make sure not to shop
when you are hungry.
Turn it Off
Turn off the TV, smart phone
notifications, silence your phones, and turn off work computers. Eat at the table with your family. At work,
avoid eating at your desk. If it’s a
nice day, go outside to the park with friends.
Keep it Simply
The
more simple and basic your food choices, the easier it will be to control. Choose with your family basic meals that
incorporate healthy whole foods that everyone can enjoy and are easy to
prepare.
Social Events
Pressure
from family, friends and co-workers can sabotage your efforts to follow a
healthy lifestyle. Be aware if your
social events are always surrounding by unhealthy foods or always going out to
eat. Plan events that do not center around unhealthy foods. Real support comes from people who will
always respect you and will not constantly tempt you to eat out or eat junk
foods.
Get Support
If you
need a jump start on healthy food planning, healthy food choices or ways to
purge your home of processed foods, contact an IHC Registered Dietitian to help
start your new healthy life!
INDIAN HEALTH CENTER OF SANTA CLARA VALLEY
Phone (408)
445-3400 Fax (408) 448-1041
www.indianhealthcenter.org
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