Small Steps Can Be More Effective to Improve
Diet
Eating healthier is a goal many Americans put at the top
of their list of New Year’s resolutions. But as the year goes on, are people
likely to stick to their goal?
In a recent study, researchers compared grocery receipts from
a group of households at three different times: for a few months before the
winter holidays; during the holidays; and for a few months afterward. They had
previously found that household grocery receipts were related to the amount of food
consumed in those homes.
Not surprisingly, the comparison showed that the amount
of unhealthy food purchased increased over the holidays. After the holidays, purchases
of healthy foods grew—again no surprise knowing that many people made New
Year’s resolutions related to health. But researchers also found that purchases
of unhealthy food did not drop back down to preholiday levels.
These findings, combined with earlier studies showing that
many people gain--and retain--a small amount of weight over the holidays, suggest
that New Year’s resolutions related to healthy diets might not be all that
effective.
So should we give up on the idea of resolving to turn
over a new diet leaf? New Year’s resolutions don’t always result in a healthier
diet, but they do show people have awareness and interest in eating healthier—even
if only for a limited time.
Goals for the New Year are no different than other resolutions
people make throughout the year to change their behavior—it may require more
than one try. People may consider change many times before they succeed in
actually making that change.
Taking baby steps, such as learning how to read food
labels or adding more fruits and vegetables to recipes, may not feel as
overwhelming as making a big change in eating patterns. Over time, small
changes may contribute to a longer term healthy habits.
Source: Beth Olson, University of
Wisconsin-Extension/UW-Madison Nutrition Specialist
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