When your junk food cravings start to hit, it’s hard to resist the temptation, right? Whether you're a bachelor or in a committed relationship, cutting down on junk food is essential both for your appearance and your health. This is especially true if you are a husband or father and must lead by example. While it's true that junk food can become addictive, and maybe already has, the good news is that there are ways you can learn to effectively control your cravings to the point where they no longer interfere with your health and wellness.

Here are some helpful tips to help you crush those junk food habits:

1. Identify the reason you resort to eating junk food. If you find yourself binging on junk food often, ask yourself why. Is it just because of the taste? Is it because of stress? Is it for comfort? Is it for convenience and cost reasons? If you can find the root cause for your junk food cravings, you can learn to control those cravings and bring real change to your eating habits.


2. Consume healthy foods that will keep you feeling fuller and satiated instead. According to experts like Dr. Mercola and others, fast food is designed to “trick” your brain into feeling not only that you're full, but also that you're getting the necessary nutrition – we all know the latter is false. If you want to get both the feeling of fullness while still getting the nutrients you need on a daily basis, here are some healthier alternatives: Steak, Poultry, Eggs, Sweet potatoes, Fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerels, sea bass, anchovies, trout), Rice, Quinoa, Nuts, Beans, Full-fat yogurt, Broccoli and Zucchini.


3. Plan your meals ahead. Eating just a few of the above foods every now and then won’t do you any good. The key to successful dieting and junk food control is to plan and prepare your meals ahead of time. If you can cook your own meals, that's even better. Dedicate a few hours once a week to prepare meals for the next several days; then, just re-heat these meals from the fridge for a couple minutes prior to eating them. Make smart and balanced food combinations, and you’ll feel satisfied for longer, without the infamous energy crash that will come from eating junk food.


4. Stick to your grocery list. Try to shop from the edges of the supermarket where fresh produce is available – the usual junk food like crisps, canned meals, and all the “not-good-for-you” snacks are usually found in the central aisles. If you avoid shopping in those areas, you'll have less opportunity and feel less tempted to purchase any junk food.

Ultimately, you need to identify the root cause of your junk food binge habits, then choose more nutritious alternatives that keep you feeling full and help you maintain a healthy diet.

Good luck!