How Rachel Makes Healthy Munching Work
Far too often, especially in the college scene, people fall off track of a reasonably healthy diet. Whether it be convenience, timing, or money, there is always a reason to explain why someone is sitting down with a McDonalds cheeseburger in front of them. What is more unfortunate is that these are always weak excuses.
Healthy Is Not Always Easy
These decisions are primarily based off of a lazy attempt at a quick grab for food, and, more commonly, personal satisfaction. Rarely are they based off of a lack of knowledge. It is very unlikely to put a salad and a basket of wings in front of someone, ask them to choose the healthier option, and watch them reach for the basket.
I, being a college student, witness this every day. The college lifestyle constantly throws junk food temptation right in your face. If a group of friends ever go out to a party or a club, there is always a good chance that everyone will be hungry afterwards. It then comes down to a choice between a greasy spoon breakfast chain or a cheap fast food restaurant. Why? Because it’s easy, impulsive, and cheap. No one at three in the morning will want to run home and throw together a green salad for everyone.
We’re All Guilty
I consider myself to be very health conscious, and even I am guilty of going an entire day of eating nothing but processed foods and sweet fixes. It really is a more satisfying and quicker way to spend your daily calories. The problem with this though, is that the satisfaction is short term, and the regret is long term. My body doesn’t function to it’s full potential, and I kick myself for making poor decisions.
It’s A Battle
The war between your mind and your heart truly is a brutal one when it comes to diet. The defense mechanism most have difficulty developing is the discipline of basing your decisions on what will bestow long term benefits rather than short term instant gratification. It is also the challenge of overcoming lazy habits.
Being young, free spirited, and granted more freedom, I understand the challenge of choosing to give up pleasurable comfort foods for nutritious food. Honestly, I find it healthy to take a night, or full day, to completely let your guard down and have a fat kid feast. What I think can help most, is to become more aware of personal impulses. I know that if I switched out half the food I had eaten this very day, I would physically feel much better, and mentally be at peace.
Mind Over Matter
Proper nutrition is quite simple. It’s influences surrounding us that play tricks on our minds and sway our decision making capabilities. Allow your own intelligence and intuition to help encourage healthy eating habits. Happy munching!