Unhealthy Food Habits - Taming This Silent Killer

Dec 1

By Amanda Da Silva, B.Hkin, B.Ed, and M.Ed

5-minute read

Approximately 7.3 million Canadian adults are obese while another 9.9 million are overweight based on a 2018 report.

This brings the total number of people that face serious health risks related to excess weight to roughly two-thirds of the population. This is a drastic increase from 2005 when excess weight was an issue for 48% of adult Canadians.

Although living a healthy lifestyle seems to be the solution, it’s not always an obvious or easy one. We live in an environment where deciding what to eat is less troublesome than making healthy choices. From physical activity and dietary habits to quality of life, each aspect can have an impact on life expectancy and general well-being.

Your eating behaviour and food intake together with substance consumption like alcohol and smoking are great risk factors for the world’s fastest-growing epidemic: obesity. This is an umbrella condition and there are many “silent killers”, also known as non-communicable diseases, that are affected by or related to it.

These diseases include diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders. 44% of Canadian adults (aged 20+) have at least one common chronic condition. 25% struggle with hypertension, 11% with diabetes, and 8% with heart disease. Moreover, 36 out of 57 million deaths recorded globally in 2008 were due to chronic or non-communicable diseases. It is estimated that this number would rise to 52 million by 2030.

These statistics are shocking, to say the least. Experts on diet and activity attribute risk factors of these silent killers to behaviour.

The choices we make in terms of food and exercise are closely tied to environmental, biological, and social elements. The challenge here is to understand what delineates health-related behaviours so we can work on changing them. With the right environment and incentives, there is no doubt about the possibility of making the switch to a healthier food and exercise regimen.

That being said, is there any greater incentive than living a long, healthy, and happy life?

This is high time we step up to take control of our health and escape the silent killer’s grasp!

Bad habit #1: Mindless eating

Overcome mindless eating by switching large plates for smaller ones. Portion control is key so never eat straight from the container.

Bad habit #2: Nighttime snacking

Think of your kitchen in terms of **business hours** -i.e., closed after dinner. Brushing your teeth can also help curb the cravings. But if you’re still hungry, you can allow yourself a **light snack** like a small piece of fruit.

Bad habit #3: Emotional eating

Release some of your stress in healthier ways, like venting to a friend or taking a walk. Pick any activity you like as long as it doesn’t involve reaching for a bag of chips or a tub of ice cream.

Bad habit #4: Overindulging in junk food

Go cold turkey and clear your cupboard out of junk food. If they’re easily accessible, it will only increase the cravings and temptation. This does not mean you can’t have special treats every now and then. Just remember that moderation is all that matters.

The food we eat can either be powerful medicine or slow-acting poison.

Therefore, we need to act more responsibly when it comes to our dietary choices and behaviours. Opting for food high in nutritional value over liquid or empty calories is an essential part of ensuring our physical and mental well-being.

Ultimately, making healthier decisions in terms of what you put in your body should be a common resolution. With 2023 right around the corner, commit to one new healthy habit you can implement today. What’s it going to be?

↡↡↡

Discover Your Purpose Course

To help you identify your core values and create an action plan to find meaning and congruence, I designed a values-based, content-rich, course. I can’t wait to guide you through an exciting journey towards a better, more emotionally resilient you! 💞