We all have habits that are tough to break — especially around food. Sometimes we assume it takes massive will power or extreme effort to make a change. But often, a little creative thinking is all it takes to “scramble up” an old routine and form a healthier one.
Here are a few simple strategies to try:
The After-Meal Sweet Fix
The Habit:
Wanting something sweet at the end of every meal — a cookie, dessert, etc.
Try This Instead:
Pop a piece of gum in your mouth right after your meal and step away from the kitchen. This signals the end of eating time and satisfies that craving for something flavourful.
The “No-Calorie” Drink Trap
The Habit:
Reaching for diet sodas or other “zero-calorie” drinks with meals.
The Problem:
While they may be calorie-free, diet drinks can actually stimulate appetite and make salty, high-fat foods (like chips, burgers, or fast food) more appealing. Back in the ’80s and ’90s, restaurants knew this trick well — free drinks and refills meant bigger food sales!
Try This Instead:
Go for club soda with lime or lemon juice.
If you crave that salty-sweet combo during meals, try pairing your meal with 8 grapes or half an apple. It will do the trick.
“Good Enough” Eating
The Habit:
Settling for food that’s just “good enough” — quick, bland, or unexciting.
The Problem:
When meals lack flavour or satisfaction, you’re more likely to find yourself rummaging through the kitchen 10–30 minutes later, looking for something to really hit the spot.
Try This Instead:
Add bold ingredients that even at times assault your taste buds:
Canned fish or smoked salmon
Spices and herbs
Radish, raw onions, garlic or green onions
Dill pickles, kimchi, or sauerkraut
Hummus or caramelized onions
Couch Snacking
It’s not just what you snack on — it’s how much and sometimes how much time it takes you to consume it.
The Problem:
Half a bag of chips on the couch
Try This Instead:
8 chips in a bowl with 6 pretzels and 1 cup of popcorn.