The Psychology of Eating & The Addition Principle

 

I first heard this idea from a David "Avocado" Wolfe health talk, and testing over time has proven it to be incredibly true! 

Often, when people resolve to change their eating habits, they are focused giving up unhealthy foods (or habits) that they know detract from their health.  However, deciding to give something up can make you want it even more!  This brings us to what I call, "the addition principle."  The addition principle is working with human psychological tendencies when changing your habits rather than against them.

Rather than giving up something, try treating yourself to a healthy new habit everyday!  Once you commit to adding a new healthy food to your diet and do it consistently, you feel better.  And, new healthy food additions tend to crowd out old unhealthy choices with zero effort. 

The sky is the limit when it comes to what you could choose to add to your diet, but here are a few suggestions to get your wheels turning: 
1.  Eat a colorful veggie salad everyday.

2.  Make your salads with deeper colored greens than usual, like arugula or kale.

3.  Begin your day with fresh fruit in some form, whether it is sliced up, juiced, or in a smoothie. 

4.  Take a good whole foods-based multivitamin daily. 

5.  Try making new vegetable-based meal every month, gradually expanding your repertoire.