How to Avoid Food Temptations around the House
Being able to avoid the urge to eat around the house can be a difficult task sometimes. Especially during a lockdown or when you have to spend your entire day in the house.
Spending an entire day staying at home can lead to series of emotions and stress which could lead to binge eating. At times like this you find yourself feeling the need to eat or snack every now and then. This isn’t healthy.
Food temptations can be difficult to deal with; having to spend a whole day at home implies that you’d have to deal with it more than once, which takes a certain amount of willpower.
Nevertheless, avoiding these temptations can be done; it just requires patience and practicing the following tips:
Drink Water:
Thirst can sometimes be mistaken for hunger or food cravings.
Try drinking a large glass of water if you feel a sudden urge for a specific food, and then wait a few minutes. You may notice the craving fade away, because you were actually just thirsty.
Eat More Protein:
Protein consumption can help reduce appetite and keep you from overeating. It also helps reduce cravings, and helps you feel full and satisfied for longer.
Distract Yourself From the Craving:
When you feel a craving, don’t dwell on the thought. Try to distracting your mind from it. You can take a brisk walk or a shower to shift your mind onto something else. A change in thought and environment may help stop the craving.
Plan Your Meals:
Meal planning is an effective way of controlling food cravings, by planning your meal, you already know what to eat and when to eat, and by doing so, you eliminate the factor of spontaneity and uncertainty. If possible, try to plan your meals for the day or upcoming week.
Get Enough Sleep:
Getting enough sleep has a series of health benefits, one of which is to oversee the fluctuation of hormones. Your appetite is largely affected by hormones that fluctuate throughout the day. Sleep deprivation disrupts the fluctuations, and may lead to poor appetite regulation and strong cravings.
With that being said, we’d like for you to know that cravings are very common. In fact, more than 50% of people experience cravings on a regular basis. They play a major role in weight gain, food addiction and binge eating.
Following the tips on this list, such as eating more protein and planning your meals, may allow you to take charge next time cravings try to take over.