Food is something we all love but can also struggle with. Some plan their day’s around food, some people barely have time to squeeze a meal in. Whatever it is, there are always factors that influence our food.
Social, external, and internal factors are all parts of our eating choices. Whether you may have realized it or not, these are all triggers to our eating habits.
Let’s dig deeper into these factors.
Social Factors
Believe it or not, being around people can influence our eating habits. Think about:
- Do you overeat at parties?
- Do you overeat when you’re listening to other speak?
- Do you undereat when you’re talking too much at dinner?
These are just a few of the questions that can influence how you eat around others. It’s time we take care of our bodies no matter that situation we’re in. This doesn’t mean stressing yourself out about what you’re eating either – we’re going to control our eating habits for ourselves, no matter who is around.
Have a plan
The next time you go to a dinner party or gathering, have a social lunch or dinner with friends or family, be aware of what you’re inserting into your body. To keep your weight loss program in check:
- try not to overdrink and avoid too much alcohol consumption
- decide what you are going to eat before you go to dinner
- Take a break from your meal and remind yourself about your goals
- Say “no, thank you” to offers of unhealthy food
You can still be social and have fun without eating too much!
External Factors
The places you eat and the times you eat can also affect your eating habits. If you’re used to eating at certain times of the day, you’re more likely to eat then. You can also be triggered to eat while doing certain activities like watching tv or when you’re sitting on the computer. Let’s change those behaviors!
- Do not eat when you’re sitting on the couch watching TV. That bag of potato chips you went to have a handful of, is now gone because you lost control by paying attention to the TV!
- Don’t worry about certain times of the day. Choose what time is best for you for that day and remind yourself to eat healthy, whole foods.
- Just because you’re in the kitchen, doesn’t mean you have to eat! Try to fill your pantry will healthy foods, just in case you can’t resist.
Internal Factors
The hardest of them all is our internal factors. Our emotions, thoughts, and physiological issues can affect our eating habits tremendously.
According to the American Psychological Association, Thirty-three percent of adults who report overeating or eating unhealthy foods because of stress say they do so because it helps distract them from stress.
Let’s not let our emotions make our food choices for us. Stress, anxiety, boredom, and other emotions can drive us to overeat. Here are some ways to take care of these emotions:
- Be aware of your feelings and choices. Instead of grabbing food to feel better, go outside and go for walk and get a breath of fresh air.
- Create positive self-talk. Remind yourself you are on a weight loss program and want to feel better physically and mentally.
- Journal! Journaling can be a great way for you to distract yourself from eating.
Options Medical Weight Loss in Chandler, AZ, wants to help you on your weight loss journey. Take a look at all of our offers to help you get the healthy body you want.