Sharing
A Respite from Unhealthy Habits
by Allison McDaniel, contributing editor
From the time I was a young girl, I noticed my mother being very particular about what she bought for us to eat. Instead of multi-colored popcicles it was frozen orange juice in a cup with a popscicle stick frozen in the center. Beef and pork were nowhere to be found, with the exception of my Aunt Shaye’s oxtails at Thanksgiving. And instead of sugary cereals we had plain, unsweetened Cheerios.
I can vividly recall my first encounter with fruit punch in a squeeze bottle. I was all at once elated and slightly annoyed, as only a 7-year old can be, that all those years, I had been deprived of something that suddenly became one of my greatest pleasures of life — junk food! Despite my whiny requests, my mother refused to cave and I instead used my friends’ houses as an opportunity to eat chips and bowls of coffee ice cream covered in chocolate sauce.
The freedom of college granted me the opportunity to choose my own menu, and choose is exactly what I did. Late night pizza parties and Chinese take-out were the norm and the immediately recognizable smell of Ramein noodles seeped from my pores. I ate everything!
My first year left me with wide eyes and a wider bottom. Forget the freshman 15 — I had toed into freshman 20 territory. I did not notice, of course, but I began to feel increasingly sluggish and absolutely sapped of all energy. My friends used to tease me about my epic naps because they were indeed very, very long.
The marked difference in my energy level and weight became a cue for me that my habits were not helping my body. And so I began reading more about how the food I ate was produced, ingredients added, and what was used for processing, and what I saw concerned me. I had been loading my diet with refined sugars, artificial additives and tons of sodium. I educated myself on how animals are raised and the benefits of organic produce. Slowly, but surely, I phased out a great deal of processed foods from my diet and started juicing leafy greens and fruit juices. Very soon I was feeling better and, ironically, eating very much the way I had been raised. The path back was easier for me because I was simply returning to habits I had lived with all my life.
I understand how difficult it can be to try to raise healthy children amidst commercials that constantly encourage them to harass parents for snacks every day. Even for those parents who have not developed healthy eating habits, but want to make changes, it is not as hard as it seems. I have a few helpful tips to help you take a respite and eventually, permanent move away from unhealthy foods. These tips are designed to help jump start a new relationship with the food you eat and make sure they last.
- Change is gradual, not overnight. A common mistake that people make when trying to make a lifestyle change is to do it all at once. This route is overwhelming and can soon lead to discouragement. Choose one thing to change, and hold to it. As you become comfortable, phase out other items. Soon you will find your habits have changed significantly and it wasn’t as difficult as you thought.
- Plant a garden. I know what you are thinking: “but I don’t have a green thumb.” No worries. Many local nurseries have extremely knowledgeable staff who will be more than happy to give you planting, tending and harvesting tips. Many also have classes to help you get started. If you are just starting, try herbs. They are hearty and easy to take care of and the sense of accomplishment you will gain is like none other. Additionally, it is important for your children to experience the growing process and to see and understand where food comes from.
- Read labels together. I cannot stress this enough. Companies are putting so many additives and artificial flavorings into our food, things that you probably don’t want to know but need to. Becoming familiar with what you eat empowers you to make better choices for you and your family. In addition, this simple education will prove to be invaluable to your children in later years.
- Cook simply with fewer whole ingredients. Healthy, tasty food is easy and fun to make. If you use fresh, whole ingredients, the taste is better and it is better for you. Simple techniques like roasting veggies in the oven or making herb-infused oils for pasta can turn an ordinary meal into something extra special. The more involved your children are in making the food they eat, the greater the appreciation for minimally-processed foods and the more cooking healthy foods becomes an integral part of their lives.
Lastly, food is not just about pleasing your senses. It is important to remember that not only is it an enjoyable part of the human experience, but it is also fuel for your body. If you want to improve your quality of life, start by examining what you feed your temple. I promise, if you make a serious commitment to changing your habits, you will notice the difference in your mood, energy and gain a new appreciation for life.
