#WinByLosing: Be mindful of what’s in your fridge and pantry
Lara Abramov
| 2 min read
Fresh fruits and veggies are in easy reach
Oscar Wilde once wrote, “The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.” While I’m quite fond of Oscar’s witticisms, when it comes to losing weight, the only way to get rid of temptation is to get rid of what’s tempting you.
Maybe that bag of barbecue chips in your pantry is tempting you. Or maybe it’s the cookie jar containing some exquisite double stuffed tasty treat. Whatever it may be, know that when looking to snack, you’ll more than likely grab the first thing you see. That means the first thing you need to see must be healthy if you’re hoping to lose weight.
This may be easier said than done, especially if you’re the only one minding munchies. If you’re alone in your quest to lose weight, claim some ‘personal space’ by making sure there’s an area in your cabinets and fridge just for you. Either way, if you’re only able to purge your ‘personal space’ or have free reign over your entire kitchen, the next step is to grab that garbage bag and rid yourself of temptation. Goodbye barbecue chips, so long double stuffed cookies. Bid farewell to your high-sugar, high-fat, starchy snacks and sweet treats.
Here are five easy ways to rid your kitchen of unhealthy temptations:
- Clean out the refrigerator. Hoarding expired food? Got unused condiments? Dump them! Make room for all the healthy food you’re going to eat.
- Clean out your pantry. Bid farewell to your junky stockpile of food, even if only in your ‘personal space.’
- Get a digital kitchen scale. Mindful eating requires you to know how much you’re eating. Keep your scale visible and in easy reach.
- Move snacks off the counter. Out of sight, out of mind. Get rid of unhealthy treats that are easy to reach. Or, if they belong to other family members, move the items to a high shelf and out of sight.
- Stock up on single-serve containers. Why? For all the delicious snack foods you’re going to prepare. Spend time planning your menu and devote one day to cooking meals and making snacks for the week. Place your prepared snacks in easy to grab single serving containers.
Check out this helpful video for more tips on how to organize your kitchen.
Putting your health and wellness goals front and center is crucial to meeting them. And ridding yourself of tasty temptations means that you’re committed to seeking the life that you want, for Oscar also wrote “to love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”
Photo credit: Jen Waller
