Eating habits

The food we choose to eat every day makes up our diet. A diet that contains adequate amounts of all the nutrients we need — carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals — is called a balanced diet. A balanced diet is not the same for everyone, and no one food or meal contains all of the nutrients everyone needs in exactly the right proportions. We need to find the best combinations! In general, it’s a good idea to eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, and to eat less saturated fat, salt, and sugar.

However, it is not the individual meals we eat that determine if our diet is healthy or not. It is about our eating habits. The choices we make about eating can have an effect on our bodies. Therefore, it is important to think about those choices! Eating while distracted or doing other things, such as watching TV, can increase how much you eat and drink.

That’s because when you are distracted, you may not realise how much you’ve already eaten, and you may not notice your body is full! For that reason, it’s a good habit to focus on your food when you are eating. You could do this by eating at a table instead of on a couch, or by putting your electronics away while eating. Minimising distractions can help you create an eating environment that you enjoy! How you eat is also important.

Did you know it can take 20 minutes for your brain to catch up to your stomach, and realise that your body has had enough to eat? If you eat too quickly, it’s possible to overeat without even realising! If you find yourself eating very fast all the time, maybe try putting down your fork between bites of food. Try not to pick it back up until you’re completely finished chewing. The times when you eat are also important.

Researchers have found that you may experience indigestion or poor sleep if you eat or drink too close to bedtime. Skipping meals all the time can also be an unhealthy habit. It’s important to eat at regular times every day. This keeps our energy levels up, and helps us meet our nutritional needs. If you skip too many meals or go too long without eating, you're more likely to eat your next meal too fast, or snack so much you lose your appetite for a proper meal.

Finally, it’s good to eat when you’re hungry, but some people eat as a response to other emotions. If you find yourself reaching for cookies or chips when you are bored or stressed, it can be a good idea to find a different habit instead... maybe call a friend, go for a walk, or read a book! If a craving comes out of nowhere, take a moment to pause and reflect on how you’re feeling. This may help you make a better decision!

A balanced diet is the foundation for maintaining physical and mental well-being. It’s easier to follow a balanced diet when your eating habits are also healthy! This means paying attention to not only what you eat, but where you eat, how you eat, when you eat and why you eat. Eventually, healthy eating choices will turn into healthy eating habits!