Top 10 Reasons Why We Don't Eat Healthy

As I was working today, I started wondering why most of us don't eat healthy. Everyone is different and everyone has their own reasons.  I thought it would be fun to come up with a top 10 list of reasons.  So here it goes... The top 10 reasons why we don't eat healthy:

10) I thought I was - This is a big one! I thought I was too!  But I wasn't.  It was obvious when I looked in the mirror.  People just don't know they are not eating healthy.  How would they?  When was the last time any of us had any course on nutrition?  For most of  us, it may have been in elementary school and how long ago was that?

9) I don't know how - This seems silly, but it is not and it is common.  It does not seem like it should be a tricky thing.  But for what ever reason, we have decided to make it very difficult to eat healthy in our society. The good news is with a small amount of education, you can do it with ease.

8) It’s too much work - Well sure, it is more work than grabbing something from a drive-thru or opening a package and putting it in the microwave or a pot of boiling water.  But how much work is being sick or going to the doctor or missing work/school or carrying around extra weight?  Think about it, if you are 10, 15, 20, 30, 40,... pounds overweight, that is a lot of extra stuff you are carrying around.   I was carrying around an extra 55 pounds. Now that is a lot of work!

7) It costs too much - I guess if you are looking on the surface level (nutrient-deficient calorie -vs- nutrient-dense calorie), it could be more.  But what about over the long term?  The cost of health care alone in this country is a lot.  We are spending billions of dollars dealing with disease that is directly related to eating the so-called cheap food.  What is your long term health worth to you?  What is your happiness worth to you?  What is extra productivity worth to you?  What is feeling great worth to you?  The day to day cost does not necessarily have to be more, either.  Depending on the situation and your current habits, it can cost less.

6) I am too busy (when I have more time I will eat healthy) - This is exactly what I use to say.  But if I would have waited until I had the time, I would have still not made the change.  It's like with anything (kids, working out...) you just gotta take the time, then the time appears.

5) I don’t like vegetables - I did not like vegetables at all!  In fact, that is how it all started.  I knew I had to figure out a way to eat more vegetables and that is how my journey really got started. Now I crave them, just like I use to crave pizza.

4) I may have to cut back on the things I like (pizza, hamburger, fries, cookies, chips, booze....insert your favorite food vice here) - This was a big one for me.  I had hardcore cravings for pizza, chips and burritos.  Now, I do not crave them at all.  When you give your body what it needs, cravings change.   I never deprive myself of any food I truly want.

3) I enjoy feeling bad - I had no idea that I did not feel good.  If you have not felt good (since you were a kid), how would you know what feeling good felt like?   One of my favorite things about working with people on their food, is when a client comes in and tells me how much better they feel.  Sometimes this happens within the very first week.  It is a noticeable difference for them and it is very rewarding.

2) I love going to see the doctor - I do not like doctor offices or hospitals, they are kinda depressing to me. I would like to do my best to stay out of them.

1) It requires me taking responsibility for my own health and well being - Sometimes we know we need to do something, but we just don't.  Someday we will have to address it.  But it is not today, so we put it off and put it off.  Usually, it is not until we have a specific event, like a doctor visit, class reunion, birthday, wedding, vacation, or you just get sick and tired of the way you look in mirror. Some kind of motivating factor is usually what triggers us to want to make a change.

The point is, we can make up plenty of reasons to not do something (valid or not). But believe me, there are plenty of more positive reasons to make a change and it is not really just about you, it's about the people around you, too - your kids, spouse, partner, parents, siblings, friends,  boyfriend, girlfriend and the people that care about you.

If you have been thinking about making a change in your eating habits, to feel better, look better or just to be more healthy, make your own list right now.   Make a list of your reasons why you should not start eating more healthy.  Then make a list of all positive benefits you would receive from eating more healthy and all the people who those changes would benefit.

See which list you like better and go with it! Life is too short not to feel great all the time!