5 Tricks to Kick the Junk Food Habit

5 Tricks to Kick the Junk Food Habit

Growing up, eating healthy was not something that I ever did. Junk food was always available. My mom would stock up on chips, pies and cakes whenever we went food shopping... but my favorite junk food of all was cookies. They were my addiction! I couldn't walk past the food pantry without reaching in the cookie jar and grabbing one.

Today, I am in great shape and at the weight I want to be at. I would love to tell you that those junk food urges are behind me, but that wouldn't be the truth. I get tempted just like everyone else. Here are 6 tricks that have helped me greatly over the years!

1. Get rid of all junk food in the house - I have found that if the food is in the house, I'm going to eat it. Most time it's on an unconscious level. I just reach to grab a chip, which before I know it leads to me eating a whole bag. Will power will only get you so far. Instead of fighting the temptations, don't bring them into the house.

2. Eat 80% clean - Relax the other 20%. If most of your diet is clean, it gives you some slack to relax. You can still go out with friends on the weekend and have a drink or two. It's not about being perfect.

3. Make a ritual out of eating healthy - Unhealthy eating is usually ritualistic. You can replace your unhealthy habits with healthy ones. For example, I use eat fast food daily. I replaced eating out with learning how to cook, and I save so much money and the  food tastes so much better.

4. Carry healthy food with you at all times - I bring my lunch with me daily to work. If you don't have food with you, you will find that you are surrounded by so many unhealthy options. This makes it so easy to fall into unhealthy ways. If you have your food, there are no excuses. Here are a few to consider:

• Fresh Fruit
• Dried Fruits
• Raw Nuts
• Whole Grain Crackers
• A Shakeology Packet

5. Discover new yummy fruits and veggies - sometimes we get bored with the same boring apples and oranges. if you do an internet search, there are so many recipes and varieties of fruits. Step out your comfort zone and try something new. You might find some new foods you absolutely love!

Easy And Fast Low Carb Meal Plans

Easy and Fast Low Carb Meal Plans

Low-carb diets have got really popular because they offer rapid weight loss. Cutting back on white  breads, pasta and sugary treats has other benefits as well. By choosing lean proteins and healthy fats, a low-carb diet can reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes and lower your blood pressure. Low carb diets can also help reduce your hunger. If you can see results and not get hungry, you are more likely to stick to the plan and less likely to eat foods high in calories. Motivation is a key factor in any weight loss plan.

Breakfast of Champions

Whether you are a busy parent getting your children out the door for school or rushing to work for a long day of meetings, breakfast is very important for all-day energy. With only 5 minutes to cook, you can scramble eggs with a sprinkle of cheese and diced, low-carb vegetables such as green peppers or onions. To prep for a busy week, you can also bake eggs, cubed ham, spinach and cheese in muffin tins. Keep the breakfast muffins in the fridge and pop them in the microwave for a hot meal you can take on the go.

Snack Time

Nuts are a great source of heart-healthy fiber and fat. Enjoy 24 almonds or 25 pistachios for around 2.5 grams of carbs. Low-fat dairy with fruit is another tasty snack. Top 1/2 cup of nonfat Greek yogurt with 1/4 cup of raspberries for a carbohydrate count of 5 grams.

Power Lunch

Salads are a great option for a healthy low-carb lunch, but don't limit your salad to boring iceberg lettuce. Romaine lettuce and arugula have less than a gram of carbs per 1-cup serving.  Add some lean protein such as roast chicken to your salad, diced turkey cutlet or canned tuna. Drizzle a tablespoon of oil and vinegar dressing on the top. Instead of a carb-heavy sandwich, try some shredded chicken or pork wrapped in lettuce leaves instead.

Simple Dinners

When on a low-carb diet, your fast food options are limited. You can't just order pizza, but your meal doesn't have to take a lot of work either. Bake or grill a chicken breast, pork cutlet or fillet of fish. For a side dish try some savory mashed cauliflower and cheese and a side salad. You can also make a simple soup, sauteed vegetables and canned crab for protein.

Limiting your calorie intake is one effective way to lose weight, but when you combine low calorie foods with foods low in carbs, you will achieve your weight goals even faster! Cutting carbs can be hard at first, but once you see all the amazing changes in your body, I promise you won't want to go back to carbs anytime soon.