On a warm summer  afternoon in my garden, the hammock creaked as I swung back and forth. Beside me, Ethan, my nephew, was a power pack of sugary energy: chips, french fries, soft drinks and a questionable-looking green-colored candy.

“Whoa there,” I chuckled, catching a glimpse of his colored tongue. “Celebrating  Junk Food Day, I see?”

Ethan shot me a grin. “Yep, Uncle Bob! It’s all about the yummy stuff!”

I ruffled his hair affectionately. “Ethan, junk food may taste great, but it lacks nutritional value and packs too many calories, which can harm our health.”

Mid-chew, he paused and admitted, “Yeah, Uncle Bob, I know it’s not good for me, but I find it really hard to resist the temptation of junk food. It’s just so tasty and addictive!”

“Yes, I completely understand. I used to love junk food too, but here are some ways through which I learnt how to cut back:

Don’t skip meals: If you do, you respond to the signals your stomach sends in your brain to eat any food you see, that’s usually junk food which is available easily.

Drink water before every meal: It curbs the urge to drink sugary beverages.

Opt for nutritious, low-calorie snacks : Fresh fruits or veggies with hummus are great choices.

Avoid Stress Eating – Take time to notice the emotional triggers that can set you up to crave palatable junk foods. Go for a walk, call a friend, try some meditation, or distract yourself.

Get enough sleep: Often weight gain and overeating can be caused due to sleep deprivation. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep daily.”

“ Whoa! That was really helpful, Uncle Bob! I’m guilty of not following some of these. I’ll remember them from now on. Thank you!” Ethan said, setting aside his junk food. “How about we whip up some healthy snacks together?” he suggested.

“That’s a great idea! I have some recipes, let’s get started!” I smiled and we turned rest of the afternoon into an experiment of healthy smoothies and snacks.

While junk food may satisfy your cravings, it’s not the best for your health. Opting for healthier choices is a great move! Plus, with a bit of creativity, you can make those healthy options just as tasty. Your body will thank you for it in the long run!