one of the simplest tools for making good food choices I've found
I know we all know what we should and shouldn't eat. And sometimes we find ourselves eating all the wrong stuff and don't even know why. But I've figured out why, at least most of the time. We eat the wrong stuff because, one, it's yummy and two, it's right there.
The easiest way I've found to ensure I make good choices, at least most of the time, is to clean out the kitchen. Get rid of all the stuff I think I should not be eating. If I don't have it in the house, chances are I will not eat it. I admit, I am kind of lazy sometimes. Go out late at night in the cold to go to the store to pick up some chips? No, thank you! But if all I have to do is walk into the kitchen, well....
The other thing I've found that really helps is to fill up my kitchen with good food choices. Because then I'm not deciding between staying home and being hungry or going to the store to get the chips. Then I'm deciding between staying home and eating yogurt (which I like) and going to the store for chips.
I know it gets harder when you don't live alone because other people might want to keep junk food in the house, and they should be able to have it if they want it. You can ask them to keep it somewhere that you won't get into it, though. In their own bedroom, in a locked cupboard, out in their car, whatever.
The easiest way I've found to ensure I make good choices, at least most of the time, is to clean out the kitchen. Get rid of all the stuff I think I should not be eating. If I don't have it in the house, chances are I will not eat it. I admit, I am kind of lazy sometimes. Go out late at night in the cold to go to the store to pick up some chips? No, thank you! But if all I have to do is walk into the kitchen, well....
The other thing I've found that really helps is to fill up my kitchen with good food choices. Because then I'm not deciding between staying home and being hungry or going to the store to get the chips. Then I'm deciding between staying home and eating yogurt (which I like) and going to the store for chips.
I know it gets harder when you don't live alone because other people might want to keep junk food in the house, and they should be able to have it if they want it. You can ask them to keep it somewhere that you won't get into it, though. In their own bedroom, in a locked cupboard, out in their car, whatever.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
May I add to that? Some folks have other people in their house that have foods they may crave.
Do like the grocery store and make the premium shelf space good stuff. Put good choices at eye level and less than ideal choices up high, in the back or generally out of immediate eye shot.
While your family may not agree to give up their vices, they can probably be talked into moving their food so it isn't all up in your face.
Do like the grocery store and make the premium shelf space good stuff. Put good choices at eye level and less than ideal choices up high, in the back or generally out of immediate eye shot.
While your family may not agree to give up their vices, they can probably be talked into moving their food so it isn't all up in your face.
That's a great idea. In my case, with my back problems, I've always had hubs keep "his" foods on the lower shelves in the fridge, or the upper shelves in the cupboards. I get all cranky when "his" food is blocking my vision of MY food (because if I can't see it, it doesn't exist)
~Lady Lithia~ 200 lbs lost!
March 9, 2011 - Coccygectomy!
I chased my dreams, and my dreams, they caught me!
Agreed Kelly. I just don't let any junk come into the house anymore. Not even for my three kids. We all eat healthy, and everyone except for my wife (because I don't have that kind of power) needs to finish their protein first before moving onto the veggies and carbs. Last I checked there was no crime in keeping the healthy food in and the junk food out. Nine months later, and my kids really enjoy those rare times when I allow them to have dessert or some other junk food. I took two of my kids to the dine-in-movies and after lunch and while they were watching the movies, I quietly ordered them a bag of skittles to share. You'd think I was parent of the year for how much they thanked me.
HW: 418 SW: 386 CW: 225 GW: 210 
Love that! Good job, Jim!
That's kinda how my girls are about soda.
They covet the stuff but understand that they drink water most of the time.
And interestingly enough when they DO get it...it's always diet. Cuz they want to make sure I can have a sip if I want it.
That's kinda how my girls are about soda.
They covet the stuff but understand that they drink water most of the time.
And interestingly enough when they DO get it...it's always diet. Cuz they want to make sure I can have a sip if I want it.
RNY Gastric Bypass 1-8-08 350/327/200 (HW/SW/CW). I spend most of my time playing with my food over at Bariatric Foodie - check me out!
I really appreciate this post because its something that is a hot topic in our house right now. I am having surgery next week and we have long since cleaned out our kitchen. My wife and I have also done a good job of keeping the kitchen well stocked with decent food. One of the problems that I struggled with (still do) is that we have a 7 year old and a 6 year old. They LOVE their treats and Friday night dinners out.
We have slowly introduced these changes to them but they still retain a lot of the desires for unhealthy eating habits. Tonight my older son was begging...crying to order Chinese takeout. In the past my wife and I would have just folded and ordered the food. Tonight we looked at eachother and said "you know what? No. That's it, it will never get easier to live this new lifestyle if we don't start instituting tough new rules in regards to food." It was over, we went in, cooked a nutritious meal that everyone really enjoyed (not me, I'm on the dreaded pre-op diet!)
I will still keep some healthier, but fun treats in the house from time to time for the kids, but things have changed a lot since we started this journey.
Thanks for posting this!
Mike
We have slowly introduced these changes to them but they still retain a lot of the desires for unhealthy eating habits. Tonight my older son was begging...crying to order Chinese takeout. In the past my wife and I would have just folded and ordered the food. Tonight we looked at eachother and said "you know what? No. That's it, it will never get easier to live this new lifestyle if we don't start instituting tough new rules in regards to food." It was over, we went in, cooked a nutritious meal that everyone really enjoyed (not me, I'm on the dreaded pre-op diet!)
I will still keep some healthier, but fun treats in the house from time to time for the kids, but things have changed a lot since we started this journey.
Thanks for posting this!
Mike
I don't think there is anything wrong with allowing kids a treat sometimes. But if they have it every day, it's not so much of a treat, you know? It's normal, every day food then.
And you can certainly give them healthy treats most of the time but I also don't think there's anything wrong with plain old junk food once in a while. Most kids get plenty of that - at school, at friend's houses, on Halloween, etc. They don't have to have it every time they want it. Just like you don't. After you have surgery, sometimes you will want pizza. And it's OK to eat it sometimes (after you're on a regular diet again), but you don't have to have it every time you think about it. You won't die if you don't get what you want as soon as you want it and neither will your kids. (Neither will I, as I remind myself every time I think I want Cheezits).
Friday night dinners out are fun. After surgery, you can go to places that have healthy choices for you. And you could even get Chinese take out sometimes. No one likes to hear their kids cry or be upset, but we're really not being mean if we don't buy them whatever food they want every time they ask for it.
And you can certainly give them healthy treats most of the time but I also don't think there's anything wrong with plain old junk food once in a while. Most kids get plenty of that - at school, at friend's houses, on Halloween, etc. They don't have to have it every time they want it. Just like you don't. After you have surgery, sometimes you will want pizza. And it's OK to eat it sometimes (after you're on a regular diet again), but you don't have to have it every time you think about it. You won't die if you don't get what you want as soon as you want it and neither will your kids. (Neither will I, as I remind myself every time I think I want Cheezits).
Friday night dinners out are fun. After surgery, you can go to places that have healthy choices for you. And you could even get Chinese take out sometimes. No one likes to hear their kids cry or be upset, but we're really not being mean if we don't buy them whatever food they want every time they ask for it.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
That's awesome. And you're absolutely right, there is no crime in getting rid of the junk food.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
I tend to want poor food choices if I am out and about and need to eat lunch or dinner. I start thinking about getting a taco or something. Once I went and got and enchilada and after three bites later and totally grossed out I realized that from then on I would hold off the hu ger until I could prepare a proper low fat protein portion and some veggies or fruit to accompany the protein. Once I have a few bites of the correct food I no longer want the saucy carb and fat laden restaurant food. I was NEVER a fast fooder so fast food of any kind will never cross my lips unless it is an emergency during some sort od world disaster or something.
I think those are times when it helps us to plan ahead and be prepared. Either plan to be home at dinner time, or else take food with you when you go out and about.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
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