Home-Delivered Meals Help People Reduce Unhealthy Eating Habits

Millions of Americans have unhealthy eating habits that affect their general wellness. Many people lack in-depth knowledge about what foods are healthy or unhealthy. However, studies have shown which foods are beneficial and harmful. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “[S]cientists found that risk of death … was higher for those who consumed too much sodium, processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, and unprocessed red meat.” In addition, “Risk of death was also higher among those who didn’t eat enough nuts and seeds, seafood omega-3 fats, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, or polyunsaturated fats.” LifeSpring Home Nutrition helps individuals and families avoid unhealthy eating habits by providing nutritional and well-balanced home-delivered meals.

The Importance of Healthy Eating Habits

Healthy eating habits are an essential part of a diet for longevity. People who are more aware of their dietary needs and how to meet them have fewer preventable health issues. Home-delivered meals offer people an easy way to manage their diets and create healthier eating habits.

People create healthier diets by doing the following:

• Eating a wider variety of whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats
• Focusing on personal dietary needs
• Eating foods with reduced sodium content and fewer added sugars
• Maintaining healthy portions
• Ensuring all meals have a balance of essential nutrients

Additionally, eating habits should be tailored to the individual’s unique needs. For example, some people may have high cholesterol or chronic health conditions that require them to increase specific vitamins or minerals in their diets. A registered dietitian (RD), nutritionist, or health care provider can offer guidance on how people can personalize their diets to improve physical health.

How Do Unhealthy Eating Habits Impact Mental and Physical Health?

Eating habits directly affect a person’s mental and physical health. The foods people choose to eat impact their moods and emotions. According to Frontiers in Nutrition, “Epidemiological studies have shown that diet impacts mental health.” Not eating enough nutrients each day may lead to vitamin or mineral deficiencies. In some cases, dietary deficiencies cause depressive symptoms or other mental health issues. Those who have healthy relationships with food and eat balanced diets report fewer preventable diseases and mental health disorders.

3 Common Unhealthy Eating Habits

Everyone has different nutritional needs. However, certain dietary habits should be avoided regardless of a person’s general health. Below are brief descriptions of the three most common unhealthy eating habits and how people can avoid them.

#1. Binge Eating, Avoiding Meals, or Overeating

Many people struggle to balance how much they eat throughout the day. In severe cases, a lack of portion control may cause eating disorders (EDs) and other conditions. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), “Disordered eating describes unhealthy eating patterns that can increase risk for health problems (e.g., bone loss, poor nutrition).” Sometimes “[d]isordered eating can also increase risk for mental health issues, including depression or an eating disorder diagnosis.”

Creating an eating schedule reduces the risk of someone unintentionally over- or undereating. Home-delivered meals arrive at the same time every week, making it easier for people to create a consistent eating routine. Sticking to a meal schedule is one of the first steps in avoiding unhealthy portions. Reducing episodes of snacking or binging throughout the day can help people avoid preventable health issues, including obesity.

#2. Severely Restricting Food Intake

Some people purposefully restrict the amount or types of food they eat for religious, spiritual, cultural, medical, or personal reasons. Sometimes, food restrictions are in observance of specific cultural or religious beliefs, while other individuals may severely limit what they eat due to allergies or chronic medical conditions. Often, people with food restrictions do not know how to create a truly healthy diet.

Home-delivered meals provide people with nutritious and delicious food that accommodates their unique medical needs or personal beliefs. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers medically tailored meals (MTMs), halal alternatives, gluten-friendly dishes, and many more meals carefully designed to help people avoid malnutrition or other dietary issues caused by food restrictions.

#3. Regularly Eating Ultra-Processed Foods and Empty Calories

Eating unhealthy snacks and junk food is one of the leading causes of preventable diseases in America. Often, people eat ultra-processed foods or meals full of empty calories due to those food items being more accessible and less expensive compared to more nutritional options. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), “Some neighborhoods in the United States, particularly those in low-income areas, have been dubbed ‘food deserts’ because residents do not live near supermarkets or other food retailers that carry affordable and nutritious food.”

People living in food deserts often only have quick access to fast food and other ultra-processed meals. Eating easy-to-access and affordable junk food is one of the most common unhealthy habits. People are often unaware of how much ultra-processed foods, saturated fats, and sodium they add to their diets by eating these foods. LifeSpring Home Nutrition significantly reduces the number of ultra-processed foods clients eat throughout the week by providing filling and nutritious pre-cooked meals.

Home-Delivered Meals From LifeSpring Home Nutrition Promote a Healthier Diet

Home-delivered meals help people recognize unhealthy eating habits and make healthy changes. They also take some of the guesswork out of creating healthy eating habits. For example, the prep team carefully portions each dish to meet the recommended nutritional guidelines. Individuals with no easy access to nutritional meals benefit from home delivery.

Many people have difficulty managing their diets and avoiding unhealthy foods and eating habits. Home-delivered meals reduce the temptation to eat unhealthy foods and help people practice portion control and consistency. People reduce their risk of experiencing preventable diseases by improving their diet and developing healthier mealtime routines. LifeSpring Home Nutrition helps people develop healthier lifestyles by offering a wide range of delicious and nutritious meals. People can choose from meals tailored to specific cultural, religious, and personal preferences. Medically tailored meals (MTMs) are also available for individuals with acute or chronic health concerns. To learn more about our services and how we can help you create healthier eating habits, call us today at (800) 798-5767.