By John A. Ruibal, MS, RDN, Prowers Medical Center Dietitian

Changing eating habits can be more complex than just cutting back on certain foods and increasing healthier options. There are many factors that influence us to eat the way we do. Because of different life factors such as age, family, socioeconomic class and religion, it can be hard to change how we eat. As difficult as it may be to make changes with certain components against us, it is important to adopt an optimistic mindset to help guide the journey.

Nutrition Services

For information on nutritional services offered at Prowers Medical Center, call 719-336-6750 or visit prowersmedical.com.

The Barriers

Many factors influence why we eat what we eat. One significant factor is the kinds of foods we were fed during our childhood and adolescent years. How families purchase, prepare and cook foods make a lasting impression on our food choices well into adulthood. Some favorite foods may include special family recipes our parents or grandparents prepared — think about those good home-cooked meals and freshly baked desserts – while other favorites may be a simple dish warmed up in a microwave oven.

Religion can act as another influence on our food choices. Different faiths have customs and rules for certain food items and may have specific days, times or parts of the year when foods may be eaten.

Food cost and food availability are two major factors that influence how we eat. How much we can afford to spend on food shapes our choices. Money is a deciding factor when we go grocery shopping or to restaurants — even the types of restaurants we visit are based on affordability. In addition to that, accessibility is a challenge for some to get to a well-stocked grocery store with healthy options.

Shopping for food can be a limited experience if you don’t have transportation. So, the distance to quality food can be an essential factor in our choices.

Environment and Influence

Food preparation and cooking skills influence our eating choices. Unfortunately, many people do not have basic food preparation and cooking skills. This leads to purchasing prepackaged foods that contain more preservatives and nutrients that may not be as healthy compared to homecooked meals with fresh ingredients.

Food marketing from print, digital, television and radio influence us more than we realize. We are bombarded with food and product advertising everywhere we turn. If asked what restaurant is associated with golden arches, most people would know the correct answer. Commercials and print advertising are filled with food and nutrition supplement messages. The constant bombardment of this messaging can persuade us to eat when we are not hungry and select foods that are not healthy in nature.

How to Make a Lasting Change

While our eating habits are influenced and shaped by a number of factors, it doesn’t mean that a healthy change cannot be achieved. For most, the biggest hurdle is how to begin this transformation.

The first step is to identify our go-to foods and the patterns of how and what we eat. It is best practice to journal what you eat for three to four days and identify one to three areas you may want to change.

Next, take those identified areas and make changes for three to four weeks. An example of this might be eating ice cream after dinner. Try switching to a sorbet or frozen yogurt. After three to four weeks, a new habit will be started and a healthier eating plan will be established.

Changing life-long eating habits is easier said than done. If you need help adjusting your diet or changing your eating habits, visit your healthcare provider to get a consult for coaching from a nutrition professional.

Bottom line — it is never too late to change eating habits and set up a healthier way of life.