Should You Keep Junk Food Out of Your House? The Surprising Truth

"You cannot always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside." — Wayne Dyer

Have you ever spent the weekend doing a massive kitchen cleanout to prepare for a new diet starting on Monday?

You know the drill—pulling everything “bad” out of the pantry, tossing the cookies and chips, swearing off chocolate, and promising yourself that this time will be different.

In theory, it makes sense. If the temptation isn’t there, you can’t eat it, right?

Well…yes and no.

Because the truth is: you don’t live in a bubble.

Sure, you can control what’s in your kitchen. But what about the office break room? Birthday parties? The dessert table at your friend’s holiday gathering?

The problem with banning certain foods from your house is that it doesn’t actually teach you how to handle them when you inevitably encounter them.

And when that happens, your brain often goes into “now or never” mode.

🍪 “I never buy these for myself, so I need to enjoy as much as I can now.”
🍕 “I already ‘messed up’ by eating this, might as well have some more while I have the chance.”
🍫 “I’ll just restart my diet tomorrow.”

So, is the solution to just keep all your favorite foods in the house instead?

Not necessarily. 

The opposite extreme—keeping every tempting food within reach—isn’t helpful either, especially if you’re still building the skills to manage things like cravings and mindless eating.

So, what’s the answer?

👉 Taking a balanced approach by setting boundaries without complete restriction.

Instead of an all-or-nothing approach, try this:

✅ Allow your favorite treats in the house—but in single servings (a small bag of chips instead of a family-size one, or one chocolate bar instead of a bulk pack).

✅ Practice mindful eating when you have treats—sit down, slow down, and actually savor the food instead of eating it quickly or while distracted.

✅ Reduce the “special occasion” effect—by giving yourself permission to have these foods in moderation, you remove the urgency to binge when they’re available.

👉 Think of it like setting boundaries in a relationship.

If someone in your life is toxic, cutting them off completely might be helpful in the short term. But what happens when you run into them at a party or the supermarket? 

If you haven’t learned how to manage your emotions, assert yourself, and hold your ground, you’ll still feel triggered and reactive when you see them—even if they’ve been “out of sight, out of mind" for months.

It’s the same with tempting foods. If you never learn how to be around them without losing control, you’ll struggle every time you’re in an environment where they're available.

So, instead of banning your favorite foods altogether, start building the skills to enjoy them in a way that aligns with your goals.

You don’t have to rely on willpower alone. You just need the right strategy...one that supports your habits at home while also helping you navigate less supportive environments with confidence.

👉 Shoot me an email and tell me—what’s one small shift you’ll make this week to set yourself up for success both at home and in a more challenging environment? 

I’d love to cheer you on!