Out of sight out of mind

Behaviors, habits, and mindset will always be the focus of my nutritional practice but something that can’t be overlooked is simple nutritional strategies. Nutritional strategies are just logistical steps we can take to better create an environment of success.

Most of these strategies are shockingly simple. One of the most simplistic is that of where we put our food.

Grocery stores use product placement to entice you to buy things. In fact, many chains charge a premium for premium space. The term they use is “eye level is buy level”. So what does that have to do with our food at home?

We are more likely to buy food based on where it is placed on the shelf, that psychology doesn’t stop just because we are home. Yet where do we tend to place chips and cereal and cookies? That’s right, in a cabinet or in a pantry where they are easy to grab.

So how can we use this knowledge to our advantage? Simple. Put it out of sight. Up high in a cabinet or on top of the pantry shelf. Even on the floor. Just get it out of eye’s view.

Of course, the simplest solution is to just get trigger foods out of the house. If that’s an option it’s best. If not (parents I’m looking at you) then the out of sight out of mind approach may help.

Food temptation is real. It can seem overpowering at times. While it is essential to develop understanding of what drives that and to work on behavioral change to mitigate it, those things will take time. In the short term, use strategy to make it easier. Out of sight, out of mind.