Do you find it hard to resist the allure of that Krispy Kreme drive-though you pass every day on your way to work? Have you considered buying a padlock for your fridge to resist the midnight snacking urge? And be honest: Do the bottom blocks of your personal food pyramid consist of caffeine, sugar, and carbs?

If you've settled into some unhealthy eating habits, don't worry: There's still time to redeem yourself. Here are a few common food-related problems, and simple ways to fix them.

1.    Constant cravings. You never have time to sit down for a full meal – so you spend all day grazing on chips, pretzels, M&Ms, or whatever else is in reach. To make sure your daily calorie count doesn't skyrocket, take a few minutes each day for real nutritious meals. A couple of snacks a day are fine, but stick with something healthy: "Rather than a cookie or a candy bar, opt for something that feels like real food — half of a small sandwich, whole-grain crackers with cheese, a handful of nuts, baby carrots with hummus, or yogurt sprinkled with cereal," Tara Gidus, R.D., told RealSimple.

2.    You wolf down your food. When you're overly impatient at mealtime, your body isn't happy: Eating too fast can result in bloating and indigestion, and chances are, you're eating more than you really should be. Since your brain doesn't work as fast as your stomach, it takes a little while to realize when you're physically full – so when you speed-eat, you end up taking in 10 percent more calories than you otherwise would. The solution? Simple: Slow down and enjoy your food.

3.    Eating as anti-depressant. When you've had a bad day at work or a fight with your significant other, you can always count on a tub of Ben and Jerry's to console you. But they may not be such great friends after all: Using food to cheer up can result in a steady cycle of bad moods, along with the obvious weight gain. Instead of turning to your kitchen cupboard when you're feeling down, head outside to boost your mood with a walk instead.

Read the whole story. (RealSimple)


Did you enjoy this article? Then you'll love these ones, too:

Five Ways Foreigners Keep Fit

Future Humans Won't Get Fat, Says a New Study

Scientists Develop a Healthy Hamburger