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Gemma Perry
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January 27, 2025
The Most Common Excuses About Eating Healthy - And How To Overcome Them
Eating healthy often feels like an uphill battle, especially when life is busy, and motivation is low. But if you dig a little deeper, many of the barriers we face are built on excuses that, with a shift in mindset and strategy, can be overcome. Let’s tackle the most common excuses about eating healthy and explore practical solutions to help you stay on track.
Excuse #1: "I don’t have time to cook healthy meals"
Life can get hectic, and cooking might feel like another chore you don’t have time for. But healthy eating doesn’t mean spending hours in the kitchen.
Solution:
Batch cook: Dedicate one or two days a week to prepping meals in advance. Chop veggies, cook proteins, and portion out meals so you’re ready to go when life gets busy.
Simplify meals: Healthy eating doesn’t require gourmet recipes. Think one-pan meals, slow cooker recipes, or “throw together” salads with pre-washed greens, canned beans, and a protein source.
Excuse #2: "Healthy food Is too expensive"
It’s true that some health foods come with a high price tag, but eating well doesn’t mean shopping exclusively at high-end stores or buying specialty items.
Solution:
Shop smart: Look for seasonal produce, buy in bulk, and stick to store brands for staples like rice, oats, and frozen vegetables.
Plan meals around sales: Check flyers and plan meals around discounted items.
Use affordable proteins: Eggs, canned fish, beans, lentils, and tofu are inexpensive, nutritious options that can stretch your budget.
Excuse #3: "I don’t like healthy food"
Many people assume healthy food is bland or boring, but that’s often because they’ve been eating the wrong version of it.
Solution:
Experiment: Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean steamed broccoli and plain chicken. Try roasting veggies with olive oil and spices, or adding a flavorful sauce or dressing.
Find your favorites: Not a fan of kale? Skip it. Explore other greens like spinach or arugula. Don’t like fish? Try chicken or tofu. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to eating healthy.
Excuse #4: "I don’t have the energy to eat healthy"
When you’re already tired or overwhelmed, cooking a meal can feel impossible. But this is often a vicious cycle: the more unhealthy food you eat, the worse you feel.
Solution:
Stock easy options: Keep quick, healthy staples like pre-chopped veggies, rotisserie chicken, and microwaveable brown rice on hand for days when you’re short on energy.
Prioritise protein: Protein helps keep energy levels stable and prevents blood sugar crashes that lead to fatigue.
Excuse #5: "Healthy eating won’t make a difference for me"
When results don’t come immediately, it’s easy to feel like giving up. But healthy eating isn’t about quick fixes - it’s about building a foundation for long-term well-being.
Solution:
Focus on small wins: Celebrate non-scale victories, like having more energy, sleeping better, or feeling less bloated.
Think long-term: Remind yourself that every healthy choice is an investment in your future self.
Excuses are natural, but they don’t have to hold you back. By identifying the barriers you face and creating realistic, actionable solutions, healthy eating becomes less daunting, and more achievable. Remember, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about finding what works for you and making progress one small step at a time.
You’ve got this. Start today by overcoming just one of these excuses- you’ll be surprised at how quickly those changes add up!