Natural Health November 2018

HEALTH & Wellness
Take Control.
Stop 7 Top
Excuses to
Overindulge
Don’t let excuses get in the way of eating healthy!
Check out our tips on breaking out of the scarfing cycle
Excuses, excuses
Excuses, excuses. We all make them
when it comes to eating healthy. But
when you think about it, there’s really no
reason to scarf down all that “bad for
you” food. Here we shoot down some
common excuses for putting away those
extra calories.
It’s a holiday (or the
weekend, or date night)
Life has lots of special occasions (and
weekends)! Indulging a little on holidays
won’t hurt – but you can plan ahead for
special meals that are healthy, too. For
example, hack your holiday cookies by
using oatmeal, fruits and nuts as
main ingredients.
I’m down in the dumps
(or stressed to the max)
You blew a work deadline, had a flat tire
or left your wallet at the grocery store.
“Comfort food” is calling you. Bigger
stresses, like unemployment or caring for
a sick relative, can also cause you to
overeat – even when you’re not hungry.
Try taking a brisk walk and reaching
for a healthy snack. When you have a
minute to slow down, check out our tips
to control your stress.
I already blew it with
that cookie
Nobody’s perfect. Focus on what you
can do next, not on what you did last.
You can also try planning ahead to eat
well on the run. Hint: Portable snacks like
fruit, nuts and popcorn can save you from
the vending machine.
Someone brought
donuts (or cake,
or pizza) to the office
It’s OK to pass on the freebies! Keep
some healthy snacks handy to curb the
cravings. If you do indulge, find a way
to get in some extra physical activity at
work! Try these tips to get active.
I don’t have time to
eat healthy
You can cut up a carrot and slice some
strawberries in the time it takes to call the
pizza place and find that coupon. Salad
is a great make-ahead meal, and the
possibilities are endless. Get our tips on
making a hearty, healthy salad.
It’s hard to find healthier
choices when eating out
Restaurants are changing! Healthier
options are everywhere if you know what
to look for. Look up menus online ahead
of time, and don’t be afraid to ask about
substitutions. If you’re tempted to overeat,
skip the buffet. Try sharing portions or
saving half for later. Check out more.
I’ll start being healthy
tomorrow (next month,
after the holidays)
Why wait? Start now and you’ll see the
benefits sooner. Take small steps to build
lasting healthier habits. Begin with these
simple tips on how to eat healthy. You’ll
be amazed at what you can do – one
bite at a time!
Natural Health * November 2017 VOL 85
31