Recently, I had a chat with a client who felt exactly this way, and it got me thinking. I realized there are eight key habits that might be making nutrition more difficult for many of us. Let’s break them down and talk about practical, faith-filled advice on how to overcome them.

1. Going Too Long Without Eating

One major issue is going too long without eating. Many women wake up, have their coffee, and skip breakfast, leading to irregular eating patterns. This can cause blood sugar levels to drop, increase hunger, and slow down metabolism. The solution? Eat every few hours. Setting reminders or habit stacking can help maintain consistent eating schedules.

2. Not Planning Your Meals

Meal planning is crucial for proper nutrition. Without a plan, you’re more likely to make impulsive, less healthy food choices. Take 30 minutes each week to plan your meals and create a grocery list. This simple step can make a huge difference in your nutrition.

3. Letting Emotions Dictate Eating

Stress, sadness, and overwhelm can lead to emotional eating, resulting in overconsumption of calories and unhealthy food choices. To combat this, find healthy coping mechanisms for stress, such as walking, meditating, or calling a friend.

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4. Mindless Eating

Mindless eating, like snacking while making your kids’ lunch or watching TV, can add extra calories without you realizing it. To avoid this, sit down at the table with no distractions and focus on enjoying your food.

5. Drinking Your Calories

Drinking high-calorie beverages like soda, juice, and alcohol can add unnecessary calories with no nutritional value. Opt for low-calorie drinks such as tea, sparkling water, or water with lemon.

6. Consuming Low Protein

Many women don’t consume enough protein, which is essential for muscle repair and metabolic function. Aim to eat protein with every meal, aiming for around 30 grams per meal to help maintain energy and keep you fuller longer.

7. High Sugar Intake

High sugar intake can lead to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, as well as cause blood sugar spikes and crashes. Focus on reducing sugary drinks, sweets, and processed foods. Remember, natural sugars from fruits are different and beneficial.

8. Eating Highly Processed Foods

Highly processed foods often contain high sodium levels and unnecessary ingredients that can lead to weight gain and inflammation. Aim to consume whole foods. A simple guideline: if God made it, we consume it.

Taking Action

Each of these eight habits comes with actionable steps you can start implementing right away. If you want to listen to the entire podcast episode, listen in.