Keep healthful options at your desk, on the kitchen counter and at eye level in the pantry and fridge.
After a bad day, do you reach for carrots to give yourself a boost? Probably not. Many people turn to comfort foods -- cookies, potato chips, ice cream -- to feel better. One reason: We're biologically geared to love sugar, fat and salt. Once we get a taste, we want more and later recall how good we felt while eating. Despite an increase of healthful menu options and convenience products, we still tend to reach for nachos, pizza and cheesecake when we're stressed out. The good feeling quickly fades: In addition to the post-gorge guilt, all those extra calories and fat pile on the pounds and increase the risk of chronic disease.
If your junk-food habits are out of hand, take steps now to teach yourself to eat better:
Clean out the pantry.
Trash the high-calorie feel-good foods. Replace them with healthful options in a range of tastes and textures.
Keep good food handy.
When we're not thinking, we tend to eat what we see first. Put healthful food on the countertop and at eye level in the pantry and fridge. And leave good snacks on your desk.
Find calorie-free fun.
Some people boost their spirits by eating. Instead, take a walk with a friend, dance to a favorite song or watch a comedy clip on YouTube. Creating a new reward system will make you feel good without the guilt.
POWERED BY USA WEEKEND Magazine & more than 
