The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the test, assessing candidates’ ability to comprehend complex texts and extract relevant information. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has consistently appeared in IELTS exams: “How To Build Healthy Eating Habits.” This subject is not only relevant to the test but also essential for our daily lives. Based on historical data and current trends, there’s a high probability that this theme will continue to feature in future IELTS exams. Let’s dive into a practice exercise that will help you prepare for this type of reading passage.
Reading Passage
How to Build Healthy Eating Habits
Developing healthy eating habits is a cornerstone of overall well-being, yet many people struggle to make lasting changes to their diets. The key to success lies in understanding the psychology behind habit formation and implementing practical strategies that can be sustained over time.
The first step in building healthy eating habits is to recognize that change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a gradual process that requires patience and persistence. Experts suggest starting with small, manageable changes rather than attempting a complete dietary overhaul. For instance, one might begin by adding an extra serving of vegetables to dinner each night or swapping sugary snacks for fruit.
Another crucial aspect is mindful eating. This involves paying attention to what and how you eat, rather than consuming food on autopilot. Practicing mindful eating can help you become more aware of your body’s hunger and fullness cues, leading to better portion control and a more satisfying relationship with food.
Planning and preparation are also vital components of building healthy eating habits. Meal planning and prepping can help ensure that nutritious options are always available, reducing the likelihood of resorting to unhealthy convenience foods. This might involve dedicating time each week to plan meals, grocery shop, and prepare ingredients in advance.
It’s also important to create an environment that supports healthy eating. This could mean stocking the pantry with nutritious snacks, keeping fruits and vegetables visible and easily accessible, and minimizing the presence of less healthy options in the home.
Incorporating variety into your diet is another key strategy. Eating a wide range of foods ensures that you’re getting a diverse array of nutrients and can help prevent boredom, which often leads to unhealthy food choices. Experimenting with new recipes and ingredients can make healthy eating more enjoyable and sustainable.
While it’s important to focus on what to eat, it’s equally crucial to pay attention to when and how much you eat. Establishing regular meal times and avoiding late-night snacking can help regulate appetite and improve digestion. Additionally, learning to listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues can prevent overeating.
Building healthy eating habits also involves addressing emotional eating. Many people turn to food for comfort or stress relief, which can lead to unhealthy patterns. Finding alternative ways to cope with emotions, such as exercise, meditation, or talking to a friend, can help break this cycle.
It’s worth noting that building healthy eating habits doesn’t mean completely eliminating treats or favorite foods. In fact, overly restrictive diets often backfire, leading to binge eating or feelings of deprivation. Instead, the goal should be to find a balance that allows for occasional indulgences while maintaining an overall nutritious diet.
Lastly, seeking support can greatly enhance one’s ability to build and maintain healthy eating habits. This could involve enlisting the help of a registered dietitian, joining a support group, or simply sharing your goals with friends and family who can offer encouragement and accountability.
In conclusion, building healthy eating habits is a multifaceted process that requires a combination of knowledge, planning, and mindfulness. By implementing these strategies and remaining patient and consistent, individuals can develop a positive relationship with food that supports long-term health and well-being.
Healthy eating habits
Questions
True/False/Not Given
For questions 1-5, read the following statements and decide if they are True, False, or Not Given based on the information in the passage.
- Changing eating habits is a quick and easy process.
- Mindful eating helps in recognizing hunger and fullness cues.
- Meal planning is essential for maintaining healthy eating habits.
- It’s necessary to completely eliminate treats from your diet to eat healthily.
- Seeking support from professionals can aid in developing healthy eating habits.
Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
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According to the passage, what is the first step in building healthy eating habits?
A) Eliminating all unhealthy foods from your diet
B) Recognizing that change is a gradual process
C) Consulting a nutritionist
D) Starting a strict exercise regimen -
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a strategy for creating a supportive eating environment?
A) Stocking the pantry with nutritious snacks
B) Keeping fruits and vegetables visible
C) Removing all processed foods from the home
D) Minimizing the presence of less healthy options -
What does the passage suggest about variety in diet?
A) It’s unnecessary for healthy eating
B) It helps prevent boredom and ensures diverse nutrient intake
C) It’s only important for vegetarians
D) It makes meal planning more difficult
Matching Information
Match the following statements (9-13) with the correct information from the passage (A-G). You may use any letter more than once.
A) Meal planning and preparation
B) Mindful eating
C) Creating a supportive environment
D) Incorporating variety
E) Addressing emotional eating
F) Balancing treats and nutrition
G) Seeking support
- Helps in becoming more aware of hunger and fullness cues
- Involves stocking the pantry with healthy options
- Can prevent resorting to unhealthy convenience foods
- Allows for occasional indulgences while maintaining a nutritious diet
- Can involve joining a support group or consulting a dietitian
Answer Key and Explanations
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False – The passage states that “change doesn’t happen overnight” and it’s “a gradual process that requires patience and persistence.”
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True – The text mentions that “Practicing mindful eating can help you become more aware of your body’s hunger and fullness cues.”
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True – The passage states that “Planning and preparation are also vital components of building healthy eating habits.”
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False – The text explicitly states, “building healthy eating habits doesn’t mean completely eliminating treats or favorite foods.”
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True – The passage mentions “seeking support can greatly enhance one’s ability to build and maintain healthy eating habits” and gives examples including consulting a dietitian.
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B – The passage states, “The first step in building healthy eating habits is to recognize that change doesn’t happen overnight.”
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C – While the passage mentions stocking healthy foods and minimizing unhealthy options, it doesn’t suggest removing all processed foods.
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B – The text states that “Eating a wide range of foods ensures that you’re getting a diverse array of nutrients and can help prevent boredom.”
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B – Mindful eating is described as helping to become aware of hunger and fullness cues.
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C – Creating a supportive environment involves stocking the pantry with nutritious snacks.
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A – Meal planning and preparation helps ensure nutritious options are available, reducing reliance on unhealthy convenience foods.
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F – The passage mentions balancing occasional treats with an overall nutritious diet.
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G – Seeking support is described as including joining support groups or consulting dietitians.
Common Mistakes
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Misinterpreting “Not Given” statements: Remember, if the information isn’t explicitly stated in the passage, it’s “Not Given,” even if it seems logical.
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Overlooking key phrases: Pay attention to qualifiers like “often,” “sometimes,” or “may,” as they can change the meaning of a statement.
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Falling for distractors in multiple-choice questions: Be wary of options that sound plausible but aren’t supported by the text.
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Rushing through the matching exercise: Take time to understand each option and carefully match it with the correct information from the passage.
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Forgetting to check answers: Always review your answers if time permits, especially for True/False/Not Given questions.
Vocabulary
- Cornerstone (noun) /ˈkɔːnəstəʊn/ – a fundamental or essential part
- Mindful (adjective) /ˈmaɪndfʊl/ – conscious or aware of something
- Autopilot (noun) /ˈɔːtəʊpaɪlət/ – a device for automatically steering a ship, aircraft, or vehicle
- Prepping (verb) /ˈprepɪŋ/ – preparing something
- Sustainable (adjective) /səˈsteɪnəbəl/ – able to be maintained at a certain rate or level
- Diverse (adjective) /daɪˈvɜːs/ – showing a great deal of variety
- Backfire (verb) /ˌbækˈfaɪə(r)/ – (of a plan or action) have an opposite and undesirable effect to what was intended
Grammar Points
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Conditional Sentences: “If you practice mindful eating, you can become more aware of your body’s cues.” (First Conditional)
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Present Perfect: “Many people have struggled to make lasting changes to their diets.” This tense is used for actions that started in the past and continue to the present.
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Gerunds as Subjects: “Planning and preparation are also vital components…” Here, gerunds (verbs ending in -ing) are used as nouns.
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Comparative Structures: “Eating a wide range of foods ensures that you’re getting a diverse array of nutrients…” This sentence uses a comparative structure to show the benefit of eating varied foods.
Tips for IELTS Reading Success
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Time management is crucial. Allocate your time wisely across all sections of the reading test.
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Read the questions before the passage to know what information to look for.
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Practice skimming and scanning techniques to quickly locate relevant information.
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Don’t spend too much time on one question. If you’re unsure, make an educated guess and move on.
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Pay attention to transition words and topic sentences to understand the passage’s structure and main ideas.
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Improve your vocabulary regularly, focusing on academic and topic-specific words.
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Practice with a variety of question types to become familiar with different formats.
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Read extensively on various topics to improve your reading speed and comprehension.
Remember, consistent practice is key to improving your IELTS Reading score. Try to incorporate regular reading sessions into your daily routine, focusing on academic texts and articles on diverse subjects. This will not only prepare you for the IELTS but also enhance your overall English language proficiency.
For more IELTS preparation tips and resources, check out our articles on how to create a healthy digital environment for children and how to build healthy habits. These topics are closely related to healthy eating habits and can provide additional context and vocabulary for your IELTS preparation.
