Most experts agree that almost all foods are fine in moderation and that it's okay to indulge once in a while, but many Americans fall into patterns of overeating. unhealthy choiceseven though they want to stay on a healthy path.
Why do people continually eat foods that they know are bad for their health?
Fox News Digital spoke with two doctors about what drives this unhealthy behavior and how people can change their thinking to make smarter decisions.
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According to experts, the main reasons for this pattern originate from human nature.
“Unfortunately, it's just human behavior,” said Jesús L. Lizarzaburu, MD, a family doctor with TPMG Grafton Family Medicine in Yorktown, Virginia, told Fox News Digital.
Many Americans fall into patterns of continually making unhealthy choices, even though they want to stay on a healthy path. (iStock)
“We tend to gravitate toward things we like, and many things that are bad for us are very pleasant.”
Convenience and comfort can also play a role in a repeated cycle of poor food choices.
“There's a reason they call a lot of these foods 'comfort foods,'” Lizarzaburu added. “They bring us a lot of joy on a primary level.”
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When discussing dietary options With her patients, Lizarzaburu said she tries to learn their preferences and behavior, delving deeper not only into their food choices but also into portion sizes.
“A common denominator that could help everyone is reducing portion size,” he said.
“We tend to gravitate toward things we like, and many things that are bad for us are very pleasant,” said one doctor. (iStock)
Patients can also record what they eat as part of setting health goals, the doctor suggested.
It's also important to enjoy and savor food, he said, which can actually help regulate consumption.
“We have forgotten to enjoy our food,” Lizarzaburu said. “We just eat because it's time to eat and we're so busy that we forget to enjoy a meal. When we enjoy a meal, we tend to eat less.”
How are food prices affecting unhealthy patterns?
Natasha Bhuyan, MD, a family physician at One Medical in Phoenix, Arizona, told Fox News Digital that the poor quality of many The diets of Americans. It is not an individual issue, but rather a systemic problem.
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“Processed foods tend to be more affordable than healthier options,” she said.
“When we enjoy a meal, we tend to eat less.”
“They are also convenient, especially for people who work long hours, families and other groups who may not have the luxury of time.”
Processed foods are often full of sugar, starch, sodium and unhealthy fats, Bhuyan warned.
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“They also increase the risk of diseases such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease,” she said.
How can people break the cycle?
To help patients get on the path to better health, Lizarzaburu said he often includes people's feelings into the equation.
A doctor advises patients to prioritize their nutrition just as they would other important areas, such as family, work, and finances. (iStock)
“It is worth appealing to emotion and helping [patients] make a change for someone other than themselves, like a child, a parent or a friend,” he said.
“That's a much more powerful motivator than me telling them it's good for them.”
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Lizarzaburu also advises patients prioritize your nutrition just as they would in other important areas, such as family, work, and finances.
“As a family doctor, instead of telling patients what to do, I like to engage in conversation,” he said.
Simple changes, like cooking at home instead of eating out, can have a big impact, experts say. (iStock)
“After establishing individual motivation for change, we talk about what realistic changes you can make.”
In many cases, simple changes can have a lasting impact.
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This could mean drinking more water each day, adding more vegetables to dinner, or cooking a meal at home instead of eating out.
“Small and practical changes are often the basis of success healthy changes“Bhuyan added.
