While fast food outlets keep advertising healthier menu items, a recent study found that most choices have become more fattening over the past 30 years. You’re likely to be consuming extra calories and sodium with each order so it is necessary if you want to be healthy to learn about breaking the fast-food habit.
Many of our teens tend to opt into eating fast food with their friends and this article is also intended to provide you with pointers on how to stop eating junk food as a teenager.
Between 1986 and 2016, the average entree gained 100 calories while desserts gained 200. Meanwhile, most side dishes became significantly saltier, according to researchers from Boston University and Tufts University.
It’s a serious issue because about one in three Americans eats fast food on any given day, which makes it more difficult to break the fast food habit and learn how to stop eating junk food as a teenager. Experts believe that those burgers and fries are making a major contribution to obesity and related conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
If you think it’s time to drive past the drive-through window, consider these suggestions.
They’ll help you in breaking the fast-food habit or teach you how to stop eating junk food as a teenager.
Cutting Back on Fast Food
If you’re hesitant to give up fast food completely, you can still make positive changes. Think about making one less trip each week and making each visit healthier.
Consider these options:
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Customize it:
Check the menu or fast food nutrition apps to figure out your healthiest options. Look for words like “grilled” and ingredients like “beans” and “whole grains.” Some chains will let you personalize your order so you can leave off bacon and condiments.
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Shrink portions:
Buy the smallest size available. Depending on the restaurant’s policy, you may be able to order a children’s meal even if you’re an adult. Also, you can share a side with a friend or even split it up over two meals.
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Monitor liquid calories:
Choose beverages without calories like water or unsweetened iced tea instead of soda or juice. Watch the sugar in lemonades, and tea drinks as well.
Eliminating Fast Food
Eating at chain restaurants can be convenient, but there are proven ways to make healthier food work for any lifestyle. Quitting fast food may be easier than you expect!
Try these strategies:
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Think ahead:
Do you wind up buying a combo meal because your refrigerator is empty? Plan menus for a full day or a week at a time and keep the ingredients on hand for wholesome meals and snacks. The more you plan the easier it will be in breaking the fast-food habit or learning how to stop eating junk food as a teenager. It is really about creating healthy habits.
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Stay full:
French fries are less tempting when your stomach is full. Sit down for 3 balanced meals a day, plus any snacks you need to keep hunger cravings at bay. Typically it is recommended to have at least one snack per day.
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Indulge yourself:
You can still satisfy your taste buds. Sample exotic fruits and fancy cheeses. Bake your own pita chips and roasted vegetables. You may enjoy them more than ultra-processed onion rings. Dehydrators are a great tool to make some non-fat chips out of Kale or Sweet Potatoes.
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Learn new recipes:
Maybe you eat fast food because it’s cheap as well as quick. If so, browse online for dishes you can put together in less than 15 minutes on a tight budget. Have hummus or stir fry for dinner. Make sure you think ahead and have the ingredients either defrosted or marinating to cut down cooking time.
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Scrutinize marketing:
Do certain TV ads make you hungry? Turn them off or think twice about their message. Drink a glass of water or take a walk before you give in to your urges. You may find that your cravings fade quickly.
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Spot personal triggers:
Maybe there are other events that stimulate your cravings. Visit the gym after work if that’s when you’re inclined to stop for take-out. Talk things over with a friend if you tend to use emotional eating to deal with stress. Try to be aware of how you get triggered and what foods you are drawn to when triggered.
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Seek support:
It’s easier to form any new habit when you reach out to family and friends. Let them know how they can help you. They may want to eat healthier too.
Eating less fast food is one simple change that can help you lose weight and enhance your overall health. Shop for delicious whole foods you can prepare yourself that will contain fewer calories and provide the fiber and nutrients your body needs. If you need help, support, and accountability to breaking the fast-food habit or teaching you how to stop eating junk food as a teenager feel free to reach out for a consultation.