How to Maintain Healthy Eating Habits in the Real World

Whether actively watching your weight or simply enjoying a healthy lifestyle, than you probably know life can sometimes get in the way of healthy eating habits. Peer pressure can be intense - at all ages. Here are a few tips to maintain your healthy eating habits even if you are in situations where other people don't have your best interests in mind.

Parties are a major source of peer pressure, which often gets magnified with alcohol. Alcoholic drinks often contain as many calories as candy bars, and that's assuming you are served the equivalent of one drink. You can opt for lower calorie beer if you do choose to drink, or have a glass of water before and/or after you consume the alcohol. Another very effective method is to offer to be the designated driver. Even if the party is in someone's backyard, everyone needs to get home. If they live in the same neighborhood, they can walk over to get their car the next day.

Work is often the hardest place to maintain healthy eating habits. Lunch or dinner meetings are all too common - and the food is often catered in. If you do have a choice in the menu, then order something healthy and plan to eat half. With today's portions, half of the meal should be plenty to fill you up. Offer to split your meal with a colleague, or simply stick it in the fridge for the next day.

Celebrations are also difficult situations to maintain healthy eating habits. Cake is almost always involved at birthdays, baby or wedding showers or at the actual event. As if the cake wasn't tempting enough, there's usually a plethora of other unhealthy foods to tempt your palate. You can, of course refuse to eat those foods altogether, or if someone insists you have "just one piece", take it and throw it away.

If you absolutely cannot resist, don't feel guilty. You are there to have a good time, right? Healthy eating habits do not mean you can no longer enjoy eating. If you do eat unhealthy foods, be aware of what you're eating, and watch your quantities. Limit yourself to two or three bites and throw the rest away. Occupy your hands with a glass of water to keep you from reaching for more.

Remember that while refusing unhealthy food is fine, healthy eating habits is about eating healthy foods. Skimping on nutrition is not a healthy eating habit. It's ok to say no to peer pressure, but don't say no to food completely!