The difficulty brought about by change is one disadvantage of healthy eating that dieters must push beyond in order to reach their goals, lose weight and achieve better health.
Change Is Hard
It's hard to incorporate change. Especially behavioral changes that affect what we eat and why we eat. This process leads to gathering information about what is healthy, what is not, and how to break the bondage to emotional eating. Initially this can be hard on the dieter. But if they follow a structured plan, they learn to incorporate change one choice at a time.
Social Obstacles
Not only is this initial change in eating habits hard on the dieter, but another disadvantage to eating healthy is that it also affects the people who live in and around us. It forces them to change in some way. For example, if your friends are getting together for pizza, they may think twice about inviting you because you're eating healthier. Other healthy eating related reasons for not inviting you can include things like:
- They don't want to tempt you to go off your diet, but they don't want to consider changing their menu.
- They feel convicted by your new-found commitment to eating healthier because they know they should do the same
- People think that you think you are better than them because you are sticking to your diet plan.
Need for Preparation
Another disadvantage to eating healthy is that if you did go to this party, you may find yourself without a healthy option. That's why it's important to be prepared. When you know you are going out to eat and won't have the control of ordering off of a menu, plan ahead. Carry something with you to take the edge off your appetite and keep your energy up until you get home. Snack options are many. Here a few easy to carry suggestions:
- Fruit
- Whole grain crackers
- Baby carrots
- Your own blend of healthy trail mix
The Time Disadvantage of Eating Healthy
Another deterrent to eating healthy is the time it takes to plan and prepare meals. If you're following a structured plan, it may require you to count calories or carbs. This in turn will require knowing what you're eating by reading labels and measuring amounts. Plus, cutting up fresh fruits and vegetables takes time. It's easy to think you don't have time, but instead of focusing on what you consider inconveniences, think about the advantages you'll gain by choosing a healthier lifestyle. Here are a few to get you started:
Advantages
- Feel better
- Healthier cholesterol levels
- Help lose weight
- Reduce risk of diabetes
- Reduce risk of a heart attack
- Have more energy
These advantages far outweigh disadvantages to eating healthy. Compare these complaints some like to think of as disadvantages:
Disadvantages
- Need to read food labels
- Healthy food is more expensive
- Boredom due to fewer food choices
- Eating won't be fun and spontaneous
- Missing comfort foods
When you look at the advantages and disadvantages side by side it puts things into perspective. The so-called disadvantages merely mirror our resistance to change.
Choose Health
In the grand scheme of life, one of the most important things is your health and your family' s health. What we tend to forget is that a good portion of the responsibility for that health rests on our shoulders. It's easy and tasty to eat poorly. That's why obesity is at an all time high along with the many chronic health issues associated with being overweight. Small changes in your everyday choices can make a big difference in your overall health. Don't dwell on past failures or worry about tomorrow. Instead, plan for today and choose health. When faced with choices that impact your health remember that you have options.
