I’m not sure if many of you know but over the summer I’ve been working in a local convenience shop (which I cant name or I’ll be in trouble!). So while I’ve been working there, I’ve really noticed the eating habits of some of our customers.

Now I will just add in here that I know it is quite hypocritical what I am saying and that I shouldn’t be so judgemental when I know that I have also been out and spent £5 or even more at a time on junk food. However, saying that the whole point of my blog is that I am on a journey to a better life, and by the time I have children I will have figured out a good balanced diet for them! I certainly don’t want them having sweets every night…

I mostly work evenings, which obviously doesn’t always paint a very good picture as the customers are normally there for the chocolate or alcohol.

But this is honestly not the most shocking part. The amount of sweets that parents buy for their children is incredible, incredibly awful that is. We often have our regular customers come in on a daily basis and since I work 4 or 5 days a week I do pick up on what they buy quite a lot.

Cringey I know but with obesity in the news headlines more and more frequently, it’s interesting to observe families to see what they’re like! And who doesn’t love a good bit of people watching.

Anyway there’s one particular family that comes to mind as I’m writing this. As far as I’m aware I have only met the two sisters and their mum.

The sisters argue like crazy, even in the shop, I even get embarrassed serving them – it’s that bad!

Every day that I work, they come in a buy so much junk food, it makes me feel sick even thinking about it. Obviously the shop has a small chilled section and we have steak slices or chicken and bacon or chicken tikka, you name it! The girls also buy these because they are normally on offer…they have got to be the most awful looking things ever!  Plus the thought of all the calories, fat, carbs and processed meat that goes in them makes me feel quite nauseous!

I’m going a little bit off topic here. So out of the two sisters, one must be about 14 who is a pretty average size (surprisingly because of what she eats) and the other is about 15 but she is without a doubt overweight, obviously at no surprise to any of us. I think its really sad that this has happened to her but whenever they come in with their mum, it’s not like she does anything about it and still lets them buy it.

No their mum is a different case, the complete opposite to myself, where she doesn’t eat enough…and it’s pretty obvious.

I think its pretty bad that we live in a society where eating disorders are so common nowadays. Yes, the NHS say that they are addressing it but they clearly aren’t or obesity cases wouldn’t be rising so rapidly and unfortunately it’s something I see everyday. I’m only one person out of thousands who are obese but I am slowly getting there and one day I hope to be able to influence and help people on their own journey to a better life.

Also, if you actually read this, please let me know! I have no idea who really reads it so it would be nice to actually thank whoever you are. (sorry family, you don’t count because I give you no choice but to read it!)

Heading to the corner shop?

I can't take 100% credit for all of this as it was originally taken from an article I found in Glamour magazine but I'm going to add in a few ideas of my own. 

This is mainly aimed at the students and the new graduates among my friends but take what you will from it.

We are all guilty of heading to the shop around the corner to get a late night snack of chocolate, crisps or even super noodles. I'm going to write this to give you ideas of what to get as a healthy alternative that you won't feel guilty about I'm the morning. A feeling I know you have all had!

Do you want something quick? Something you can get together in a few minutes?

Go for eggs, you can make them in so many ways that all only take a few minutes to make. Even though it seems like hours when you're cooking them! Scrambled, fried, poached - all good, filling and healthy (except fried obviously) options, just go for wholemeal bread if you're going to have them with toast!

Do you need something filling? Something to keep you going for a while?

There are actually a few options for this, some tinned fish can be put with pretty much anything you want, maybe with pasta? Pulses were also suggested by the article, as a way to bulk up salads and soups to make them go a bit further. I'd also like to add in soups as well, every corner shop has a pretty good variety and they are pretty filling as well, especially if you add those pulses. 

Did you do a bit too much day drinking? Go to the pub at the end of the day and drank more than you should have?

DO NOT get that kebab or those 5 pieces of chicken and chips and all the sides that you are convincing yourself is a really good idea at the time. You will still wake up feeling just as bad or even worse if you eat it. Pick a bowl of cereal instead, it will probably sober you up quicker and you definitely won't wake up with that feeling that there is grease everywhere! And it's definitely more nutritional, so if you have the willpower to resist the please do! You will thank me in the morning :)

Do you just need a snack?

There are plenty of options to go for such as popcorn, fruit bread, crumpets, nuts or seeds. To be honest, there are plenty of things you can grab. If your local corner shop is a chain such as co-op or one stop, you can actually pick up some really good deals and find some great products.

First take this to see if you really are hungry.

The next bit I think I'll take straight from the article as it's pretty good.

So 3 healthy snacks that you might be surprised by:

Cheese strings - yes, they are typically a kids lunch box snack...but they're really high in calcium.

Peanut butter - this contains protein, fibre and B vitamins. Try it on some apple slices.

Beef jerky - personally I think it's an acquired taste, which I don't have! But it's relatively high in protein and low in fat, perfect or what?!