Set Your Kitchen Up for Success… or Failure

I recently watched an interesting segment of Anderson, called Is Your Refrigerator Making You Fat? with advice from dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner. During the show Blatner explained, certain environments we create with the food in our homes make us more inclined to make poor eating choices. Here are some things to  take away from Blatner’s review of an Anderson’s guest’s kitchen…

1. Don’t center daily activities around your kitchen. Anderson’s guest mentioned her back door, which is attached to the kitchen, was her family’s main entrance. The fact that the area is so accessible may make you more likely to snack, even when you aren’t necessarily hungry.
2. Consider the psychology of colors. According to Blatner, colors like reds and yellows stimulate our appetite; so beware of coating your kitchen in these colors.
3. Don’t eat in front of the TV.  Blatner says, eating while watching TV can create a habitual behavior, in which; watching TV will then trigger one’s appetite. In addition to what Blatner suggests, I’d say TV can be harmful because we often are more focused on whatever we are watching on the screen than watching our portion size. You may be more likely to indulge this way.
4. Take away the bait. Make an effort not to store treats in your home, like candy or ice-cream. Instead, if really like a treat make a stop to the ice-cream shop or candy store. This way you’re not grabbing something out of convenience, the sheer effort to make the trip may curb your temptation.
5. Draw your eyes to better options. Blatner recommends organizing your refrigerator so healthy food sits on the front of the main shelves, reserve cripser drawers and the back of the fridge for less-than-healthy foods. You’ll be more likely to grab a healthier option if you leave it at eye level.

So what do you think? Have you noticed anything that triggers unhealthy eating habits in your home, or is there something you do to avoid unhealthy snacking?

Also, if you haven’t picked up your free copy of my Rapid Fat Loss DVD yet CLICK HERE!
Committed To Your Fitness Success,

Jeff Sherman

Photo Credits: Refrigerator – After by Average Jane of Flickr