You are what you eat. Everyone hears this phrase at least once in their lifetime. And we are telling you first hand that it is true. Your body is a product of the things you put in it as well as how you put it. A lot of people do not pay attention to this and it later tells on how healthy they are in the

 long run. 

Generally, there are motives attached to the way people perceive the need to eat healthily. For instance, the need to lose weight often comes with a special diet. For some, it’s the need to gain weight. There’s generally always a notion to eat healthily and this shouldn’t be so. Your body needs to constantly feed on a healthy diet without a motive to it. It is important to break away from unhealthy habits in a bid to improve one’s health and fitness level. 

Here are some eating habits you need to avoid. If you find yourself doing any of these, make the effort to improve your health by working on them

1. Skipping breakfast: This is very commonplace among Nigerians. We seem to have adapted to skipping breakfast and our meals follow a pattern of 0 – 1- 1. No breakfast, early lunch (or brunch as some would call it), and a late dinner. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and while some people avoid eating it in a bid to lose weight, research shows that breakfast eaters tend to weigh less and are more successful at losing weight and keeping it off than those who skip the meal. You also gain more fiber, calcium, vitamins A and C, riboflavin, zinc, and iron when you make it a habit to eat breakfast. If you generally tend to not feel hungry when you wake up, you don’t have to do it immediately. Just make sure that when you do, it is able to sustain your energy and contains proteins and fiber. 
2. Mindless eating: The more times you eat without a plan, the higher the risks attached to the things you eat. Eating out daily puts your body at the risk of regularly consuming large volumes and unmonitored cooking techniques. Junk foods help you gain unwanted weight and increase the chances of having to deal with illnesses and other health-related issues. Keep only healthy snacks within reach, such as carrots and cucumber slices, air-popped popcorn, greek yogurt, and salads. 
3. Late Night eating/snacking: Do you have a habit of eating late at night? Or after eating dinner, you keep midnight snacks at your bedside. This habit is unhealthy and it often leads to weight gain. It’s not only what you eat that matters really but also when you eat it. After dinner, teach yourself to think of the kitchen as being closed for the night and brush your teeth, you’ll want to eat less with a newly cleaned mouth. If a craving hits, wait 10 minutes. If you’re still truly hungry, reach for something small like a piece of fruit.
4. Stress eating: Eating should never be a coping mechanism for stress. While dealing with emotional problems attached to work or relationships, it is important to identify the stress factors and seek help. Talk to a friend, take a walk or seek out a therapist but do not go to the kitchen!
5. Rushing your meals: If you’re in the habit of constantly rushing your meals, you are doing yourself more harm than you know. Eating too fast is a bad habit that could lead to overeating, weight gain, and even obesity. By eating fast and overeating, your body ends up processing more food than it really needs. This can lead to an increased risk of obesity. 

It is even important to avoid bad eating habits so you can really savor the meals you eat and enjoy the nutrients provided by them. Eat healthy meals daily and form better habits around them, make a conscious effort to improve your own health by constantly practicing these better habits.