Don't Buy it, Don't Eat it

Breaking the Cycle: The Power of Not Buying Junk Food

We’ve all been there—standing in the kitchen, staring into the fridge or pantry mindlessly reaching for a snack. And more often than not, it’s something processed, sugary, or salty. But here’s the truth: If it’s there, you’ll eat it. The best way to avoid eating junk food isn’t willpower—it’s simply not buying it in the first place. 

Out of Sight, Out of Stomach

Your subconscious mind plays a bigger role in your eating habits than you realize. When junk food is easily accessible, your brain registers it as an option. Even if you’re trying to resist, the fact that it’s sitting there makes it likely that, at some point, you’ll cave in. The opposite is also true—when there’s no junk food in the house, you can’t eat it. Instead, you’ll reach for what’s available: a cucumber, a pear, or any other whole food that nourishes your body. So many times, I will be watching TV and mind is inside the kitchen cabinet thinking what's there to eat, you know what I'm talking about.  

Shop Smart, Eat Smart

The key to breaking the junk food cycle starts at the store. When grocery shopping, focus only on whole, nutritious foods. Fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and extra virgin olive oil should be the priority. If you skip the chips, sodas, and cookies in the store, you won’t have to struggle with avoiding them later at home.  

The Sugar Myth

Many people say, “I’m feeling down, I need some sugar.” This is a common fallacy. Sugar might give a temporary boost, but it leads to crashes and cravings, trapping you in a cycle of dependency. (For a deeper understanding, read my article: "Sugar" Avoid at all costs.) Learning how your body processes food can help you make smarter choices and break free from sugar addiction. In addition, fasting is one way to break sugar addiction.   

Final Thoughts

It all comes down to habit. If junk food is within reach, you’ll eat it. If it’s not, you won’t. By making conscious choices at the store, you remove temptation from your home and create an environment where healthy eating becomes effortless. Next time you shop, remember: the best way to resist junk food is to never buy it to begin with.