TV doctor's five easy steps can help you give up junk food for good

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Dr Michael Mosley has shared how you can give up junk food - for good (Image: Plum Pictures / Channel 4)
Dr Michael Mosley has shared how you can give up junk food - for good (Image: Plum Pictures / Channel 4)

We're all more than aware of how addictive junk food can be. But sometimes it feels as though there's nothing better than a big, juicy burger when you've had a tough day at work.

But it's actually better to nourish and fuel your body with goodness, and Dr Michael Mosley, who popularised the fast 800 diet, has shared how you, yes you, can give up junk food for good. Yes, it's tough, but you'll thank yourself, and you'll feel the health benefits massively. If weight loss is your goal, then you'll certainly notice it if junk food is something you regularly consume. If your goal is overall health, you'll notice yourself feeling tonnes better in a surprisingly short amount of time.

The taste of rich, ultra-processed foods can be hard to forgo - but foods that are nutritious can taste just as good, and are much better for you. During an episode of ITV's , Dr Mosley said: "There is something about junk food that seems to override our normal feedback mechanisms and encourages us to overeat"..

A variety of psychological and physiological factors can make it harder to give up junk food altogether, and if you struggle, it isn't just a case of you having poor willpower. But thankfully, Michael Mosley has given five "golden rules" to help you give up junk food for good, without any regret.

Make sure you pre-prepare your lunch

A found that fast food consumption and our eating behaviours while we're outside of the home is one of the main risk factors for lower diet quality, with higher fat and calorie intake. It means you won't be reaching for the unhealthy foods as much because you've already got food ready.

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Simple swaps

Dr Mosley said that it can be tough to quit your unhealthy habits, but little simple swaps can rewire your brain and help you to make the life change, and become less dependent on junk food. Switching snacks like chocolate for nuts and seeds, Greek yoghurt with berries instead of a dessert, and veggies for simple carbs are just as tasty, but also better for your health.

Get a good night's sleep

We all know that getting enough beauty sleep is essential for our overall health, but did you know that it could also prevent you from eating junk? Not getting enough sleep can have a huge effect on your food cravings, and lack of sleep can also impact your inhibitions, making it harder to resist. According to Dr Mosley, sleep deprivation peaks a lipid in your bloodstream called an endocannabinoid, making eating more pleasurable.

Mindful eating

It's easy to reach for the first thing that you see and scoff it out of convenience, but according to a , by eating mindfully, and focusing on textures, tastes and smells of healthier foods you eat, you might find you're not reaching for those unhealthier snacks as often.

Start writing what you eat down

Writing what you eat in a day down in the way that works for you can be really beneficial, as it encourages you to be mindful and stay accountable. Dr Mosley recommends noting down how you feel when you eat foods high in sugar and fat to see whether there's a correlation between how sluggish you feel, or how your mood fluctuates.

Danielle Kate Wroe

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