Are your eating habits sabotaging your self-control? Taming your relationship with food often comes down to behavior.

Small, everyday actions—like distracted dining or indulging in late-night snacks—can silently drive cravings, making it harder to resist that extra slice of pizza or piece of cake.

The good news?

Recognizing and ditching these habits can transform your relationship with food and empower you to regain control.

But don’t despair—it’s not about perfection, it’s about making conscious choices. 

In the following article, I’ll reveal the habits that might be holding you back and share practical tips to master your food impulses.

Keep reading for insights that will empower you to take charge and enjoy food with confidence.

1) Mindless eating

The act of eating without giving it a second thought is one of the most common culprits behind unhealthy food habits.

Often, we find ourselves snacking while watching TV or eating on the go.

This lack of mindfulness can lead to overeating and a disconnection from the body’s fullness cues.

It’s not just about what you eat, but also how you eat it.

Practicing mindful eating can help you better understand your body’s hunger and fullness signals.

Taking the time to savor each bite can transform your relationship with food.

By saying goodbye to mindless eating, you can gain more control over your food choices and overall health.

2) Skipping meals

I used to think skipping a meal now and then would help me lose weight. Boy, was I wrong!

Skipping meals can actually lead to overeating. When you’re really hungry, it’s much harder to make healthy choices.

I remember one day I skipped lunch because I was too busy with work.

By dinner time, I was so hungry that I ended up eating way more than I usually would.

Now, I make sure to eat regular, balanced meals throughout the day.

It helps me keep my hunger in check and maintain my self-control when it comes to food.

3) Late-night snacking

The quiet of the night often lures us to the kitchen for a sneaky snack.

But did you know that eating late at night can interfere with your body’s natural rhythms and lead to weight gain?

Our bodies are biologically programmed to eat during the day and sleep at night.

Disrupting this cycle can confuse our metabolism and increase the likelihood of weight gain.

It might be worth setting a cut-off time for eating in the evening to help maintain self-control with food.

4) Eating out of large plates and bowls

Surprisingly, the size of our plates and bowls can influence how much we eat.

Eating from larger plates can subconsciously trick us into serving and eating larger portions.

This is because a smaller amount of food on a large plate can leave us thinking we’re not eating enough.

Switching to smaller plates and bowls can help control portion sizes and prevent overeating.

This small change can make a big difference in your journey to having more self-control with food.

5) Emotional eating

I’ve found that stress, sadness, or even boredom can often lead me to the fridge. Eating becomes a coping mechanism, a way to fill a void that isn’t related to hunger.

It took me some time to realize that I was using food as a crutch.

Now, when I feel an emotional urge to eat, I take a moment to understand what’s triggering this desire.

Identifying the real issues behind emotional eating can help in developing healthier coping strategies, leading to better self-control with food.

6) Not drinking enough water

Believe it or not, sometimes our bodies confuse thirst for hunger.

We may think we’re craving a snack when we’re actually just dehydrated.

Making a habit of drinking enough water throughout the day can help keep these false hunger signals at bay.

Plus, it’s good for overall health and wellbeing.

Staying well-hydrated can serve as a simple yet effective strategy for maintaining self-control with food.

7) Neglecting to plan meals

Planning your meals in advance can be a game-changer when it comes to controlling your food intake.

It reduces the chances of impulsive eating and ensures that you have healthy, balanced meals ready when hunger strikes.

By taking the time to plan, you can ensure each meal is nutritious, portion-controlled, and satisfying, ultimately leading to improved self-control with food.

Final thought: It’s a journey

The path to better self-control with food is a journey, not a destination.

It’s about making incremental changes and gradually letting go of habits that don’t serve us.

It’s not about deprivation or punishment, but about fostering a healthier relationship with food.

As the renowned nutritionist, Michael Pollan, once said, “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” It’s a simple mantra that captures the essence of mindful eating.

By saying goodbye to these seven behaviors, you’re not just gaining control over your food choices, you’re embracing a lifestyle that promotes health and wellbeing.