One of the key components of the DARE model is environment. So this means looking at the environment in which you live. It could be the people who you interact with or your physical environment.
If you're looking for ways to improve your eating habits, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, there are a number of things you can do to change your environment that can support this goal:
clean out your pantry and remove any foods that are tempting and that you may overindulge in such as packets of sugary biscuits and bags of chips, or even removing alcohol from your home
before you go shopping create a shopping list and stick to it
When you go shopping, be aware of the geography of the supermarket. If you shop at a large supermarket, where it's all one stop shopping, aim to shop only around the perimeter. This is where supermarkets generally tend to stock the food that is closest to nature. So for example, your fruits and vegetables, your proteins such as meat, chicken and fish, and also your dairy products. Things that are highly processed tend to be towards the centre of the supermarket
If you shop online, take time to assess whether each item you are adding to your shopping basket is taking you closer or further away from your goal
Organise your fridge in a way so that healthier foods such as fruits and vegetables are at eye level so they are the first things you see when you open your fridge
How many times have you opened a fully stocked fridge and said that there is nothing to eat? Consider grouping your foods in the fridge around recipes for example, if you're planning to have muesli in the morning with some fruit and yogurt, put the fruit and yogurt and milk together. If you're planning on having fish with a salad for lunch, again, group those items together so you have an easily visual clue to the meal that you're about to create.
Happy, healthy eating and stay awesome!
