Healthy Living DIY

1. Force of habit. Each day, we make decision after decision. Many of our choices are on "auto-pilot." In other words, we do something because it's what we've always done, not because we've thought it through and chosen carefully in the moment. It's essential that we do this, of course. Otherwise, we'd never make it to work in the morning! But the drawback is that it's very easy to get into a rut when it comes to certain unhealthy habits.

2. "I can't afford it." I'm smiling here. If you've read Word Cures, you probably are too. Seems the USDA and I agree on this one!

It's legitimately true that higher quality food tends to cost a bit more than lower quality food. Even if you grow organic in your own backyard, your garden requires more time investment than a quick trip to the store for a box of Pop Tarts. Put a dollar value on your time in the garden, and you've got some pretty valuable green beans on that table!

Here's the thing. If the cost of your customary food items were to drop for some mysterious reason, would you spend the surplus on upgrading the quality of what you buy? Some people would, of course. But more likely, the USDA believes you'd spend the extra money in other budget categories. Or else buy more of the same stuff you're already used to. Food for thought, eh?

3. Flat-rate bias. Did you know you're likely to spend more for a fixed-rate expense than you would be willing to do for separate purchases of the same items? If you've paid for a month's membership at the gym, you're likely to go more frequently than if they charged by the visit. Even if your total cost is more at the flat rate. Psych yourself out on this one!

4. A bird in the hand... vs. planning ahead. It probably won't surprise you to read that people tend to want what they want when they want it. We're willing to gamble tomorrow's health on today's yummy-looking fries.

But it's not as cut and dried as you might think. If both the healthier and less healthy options will occur in the future, people are more likely to chose wisely. One way to use this strategy in your favor is to plan ahead ... meals, for example ... rather than allowing yourself to get caught up in the stress of the moment.

5. Serving size & variety. You know that a modest serving looks bigger on a little plate than it does on a huge one. But did you know that a taller, skinnier glass looks like it contains more quantity than a shorter, fatter glass of the same size?

You'll also eat more of a variety of foods than you would of a single item. How to psych yourself out on this one? Get lots of different fruits and veggies on that plate! Skip the multi-colored jelly beans & variety pack snack foods.

6. Healthy default habits. People often go with the default option. For one thing, it requires less thinking. But here's the clincher. You're less likely to make a grand effort to obtain something you've been getting along without than to let go of something you think you've already got.

Use this news! Where in your life can you set your default habits, and those of your family, to "healthy"?

In closing, you've just gotta love the USDA's summary statement. They're looking for ways to "target those consumers who feel they need extra help making choices that are more harmonious with their own long-term health objectives." My guess is that group encompasses a lot of people!