6 Obstacles to Healthy Eating and How to Overcome Them

1. You are not aware of how much the food affects your health

There are two types of calories - Energy Dense and Nutrient Dense. They both provide you with the necessary calories to prevent starvation but only one provides nourishment for your body. 

• Energy Dense Calories usually found in the foods that are convenient, provide instant gratification, high in calories but have little (if any) nutritional value. Chances are within an hour or two after eating these foods you will be raiding your kitchen for something else to eat.  
• Nutrient Dense Calories are packed with valuable vitamins, minerals, and fiber. A diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains ensure that you get all your necessary nutrients to protect your health and prevent your waist line from expanding.

2. Not sure of the best foods to eat

We hear such conflicting information in the media; carbs are bad,carbs are good/ fat is bad,fat is good/butter is bad,margarine is good/butter is good, margarine is bad. This is all media hype turning the processed food industry into a billion dollar business.

Not all processed foods are bad for you like milk, high fiber cereals, whole grain breads or frozen fruits and vegetables. They are a convenient way to get valuable nutrients when you are short on time. Avoid any food that has been boxed, bagged, canned or frozen with a long list of ingredients only a chemist can pronounce.

3. Healthy food is expensive and takes hours to prepare

You do have to plan your meals for the week, make a shopping list and buy only the items on your list but the rewards for your efforts will far outweigh any inconvenience.

• You pay for the convenience of  having the meal already prepared for you. Pre-packaged foods are full of sodium, sugar and chemicals that lead to serious health problems later in your life
• Buy fruits and vegetables in season  
• Shop at your local farmer’s market
• Use legumes as your entree, add them to soup or create a main dish salad. You caneasily feed a family of 6 for 3 or 4 dollars
• Add brown rice and pasta to casseroles
• Check the local ads for weekly specials

4. Not having a system for shopping, storing, and preparing

• Think about your schedule for the week
• Plan your meals around events for that week, and most important, plan your meals before you go shopping
• Keep your pantry and freezer full of the foods you use most often
• Plan a few go to meals incase of an emergency or maybe you are just tired.
• Slow cookers and George Foreman grills are a busy persons’s best friends
• Prepare enough for two meals and put one in the freezer

5. A food either taste good or it is good for you

Eating healthy does not mean giving up your favorite foods. Learn new methods of preparation, replace salt with herbs and spices and try new foods.

6. Most Important “Do Not Deprive Yourself of Your Favorite Treats”

If you are eating healthy at least 80% of the time the occasional treat will not endanger your health.       

Category: Nutrition