Changing the Meat Habit

It has been an American habit to eat turkeys on Thanksgiving. Thankfully, more & more people are consciously changing this habit. The habit of being thankful and giving thanks on this holiday does not require eating another living being.
We create habits by repeating actions or thoughts. With constant repetition of these thoughts and actions, we form little “bumps” on the “sending” fibers of our nerve cells. The more of these bumps, the more easily those messages are transmitted till they become like second nature. Repetition of the same thoughts & actions wears a groove into our brains forming a habit. It is like the path formed when we walk over the same ground again and again.

The good news is by repeating different actions or thoughts we can create a new path, a new habit. And if we consistently repeat this new thought or action, it can replace the old habit.

It usually takes about 3-4 weeks to form a new habit. It is suggested that rather than focusing on what you want in a negative statement, state your desire for change in a positive statement like “I want to eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains & legumes.” By focusing on the positive benefits and tangible “rewards” of better digestion, weight loss, lower cholesterol, helping the environment and saving an animal, you can help keep yourself motivated.

Like muscles, habits not used tend to atrophy. Muscles and habits exercised over time grow stronger and stronger. Changing a habit is not a matter of willpower but rather of repetition. I remember a friend who complained that someone on their childhood swim team got to the Olympics even though they initially were not an exceptional swimmer. When I asked how this person did it, they begrudgingly told me they never skipped swim practice & stuck with practicing long after everyone else went home.

The old joke of “How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice! Practice!” holds true with changing the meat habit. Lucky for us it is a pleasurable & delicious adventure in eating to change the meat habit. Please feel free to contact foodforlife@aplnj.org & we’d be happy to help you.