Why Healthy Eating Feels Tough & How to Make It Easier
Each article on the fitterfly website is a labor of love, reviewed by a team of certified medical experts specializing in various fields like Diabetology, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, Psychology.
They carefully examine all references and facts to provide up-to-date and reliable information, aiming to break myths and empower you in your health journey.
Meet Our Reviewing Team
Pranati Deshpande
We all know eating healthy is important. Talk to anyone, and they’ll tell you about the harm too much junk food or too little nutrition does.
Yet, even with this knowledge, truly living by it is another story. In India, where every meal celebrates culture and tradition, sticking to a healthy diet comes with unique challenges.
From festive feasts to our daily rush, balancing cultural richness and nutritional wellness can seem daunting.
Today, let’s understand the hurdles and find practical steps to embrace healthier eating habits.
What is The Root of the Problem?
The struggle to maintain a healthy diet can often be attributed to social and psychological factors.
Social Factors Influencing Our Eating Habits
1) Busy Lifestyles
The hustle of daily life often leaves little time for home cooking. Ordering a pizza from a nearby restaurant is easier than preparing a nutritious meal.
This convenience, however, comes at the cost of our health, as these meals are often high in calories and low in essential nutrients.
2) Lack of Routine/Discipline
With our days filled to the brim, maintaining a consistent eating schedule can be challenging.
The absence of this routine can lead to impulsive snacking on sweets and fried foods like pakodas, chaklis, farsaan, and biscuits, especially during evening tea time, a cherished ritual in many Indian homes.
3) Social Eating
Indian festivities and family gatherings are incomplete without various dishes rich in oil, ghee, and sugar. Refusing such foods can sometimes be perceived as impolite or unsociable.
This cultural norm makes it difficult for individuals trying to stick to a healthy diet to navigate social situations without offending hosts or feeling left out.
4) Fad Diets
The appeal of rapid weight loss has many of us experimenting with various fad diets without understanding their long-term effects.
This often leads to nutritional imbalances and a cycle of yo-yo dieting, which is neither sustainable nor healthy.
Psychological Factors That Shape Our Eating Choices
1) Emotional/Stress Eating
The comfort found in food is undeniable for many. A bar of chocolate for a job well done or a scoop of ice cream to soothe a broken heart are common scenarios in our lives.
This connection turns to overeating or unhealthy snacking during emotional highs and lows.
2) Depression
It’s true! Mental well-being directly impacts our food choices. Some seek refuge in overeating, while others may lose their appetite, leading to a cycle of unhealthy eating habits that only exacerbate physical and mental health issues.
3) Conditioning
From a young age, we’re introduced to the idea that hospitality and affection are best expressed through rich, flavorful dishes.
This mindset often overshadows the value of healthier, lighter options, making it challenging to serve a bowl of salad with the same pride as a biryani dish at our gatherings.
4) Undervaluing Healthier Options
In our traditional Indian thali, salads or raw vegetables are secondary to staples like roti or rice. This undervaluation extends beyond the dining table, reflecting a broader cultural hesitation to embrace salads as a substantial part of our meals.
The preference leans more towards cooked dishes, pushing fresh, raw options to the sidelines of our plates and nutrition.
5) Eating Disorders
Drastic changes in eating habits or an obsession with food and body image may signal deeper issues. Addressing these concerns requires understanding, patience, and professional guidance.
Is your weight increasing your health riskHealthy Weight
Calculator
What Can You Do to Make Eating Healthy a Habit?
1) Unlearning and Relearning
Recognize and challenge the conditioning or mindset around food. Opt for healthier treats and meals during celebrations and when hosting guests, like offering fresh fruit or vegetable-based snacks instead of sweets.
2) Start Early with Children
Normalize healthy eating by making it the standard at home. Avoid rewarding children with junk food; use non-food rewards and praise.
3) Establish a Routine
Plan meals ahead to avoid last-minute unhealthy choices. Preparing simple, balanced meals can become part of your daily routine, just as important as any other daily task.
4) Social Support
Share your healthy eating goals with friends and family. They can offer support, and you might find a buddy to join you on your healthy eating journey.
5) Mindful Eating
Focus on food’s taste, texture, and enjoyment. Avoid distractions like TV or smartphones during meals to help control overeating and appreciate healthier food choices.
How Fitterfly Supports Your Healthy Eating Journey
At Fitterfly, we recognize these challenges and have tailored our approach to help you successfully adopt and maintain healthy eating, especially catering to the unique cultural choices of us Indians.
- Personalized Nutrition Plans: We offer meal plans that respect your lifestyle, food preferences, traditions, culture, and nutritional needs, making healthy eating accessible and enjoyable.
- Unlearning and Reconditioning Support: Our weight loss program include guidance on how to break free from unhealthy cultural conditioning around food and promote healthier alternatives for celebrations and daily meals.
- Community and Support: Join a community of like-minded individuals on the same journey. Share experiences, challenges, and successes to stay motivated.
- Mindful Eating Practices: Our experts guide you through the principles of mindful eating, helping you enjoy your food more and making it easier to stick to healthy choices.
With Fitterfly, you’re not just adopting a diet; you’re starting a healthier lifestyle that respects your cultural context and personal preferences.
We’re here to support you every step of the way, from unlearning deep-seated habits to celebrating the joy of healthy living with your loved ones.
Together, we can make healthy eating a seamless and enjoyable part of your life.
Talk to one of our support executives on 08046807733 to learn more about sustaining healthy eating, especially if you are trying to lose weight.
Lost 12 kg in 3 months without tough diet restrictions!
65kg
Happy members
EMI
Guarantee
4.8/5
Weight Loss Program
