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5 ways to stop the snack monster!

 


I would bet money that snacking is one of the top reasons you're not hitting your nutrition or weight loss goals.

Here are some reasons why:
  • It accounts for about 25% of all calories consumed during the day.
  • It is often a by-product of boredom or lagging energy.
  • It is often void of nutrients.
  • It doesn't allow for your body to rest and digest, diverting energy from your brain and the rest of your body to your digestive system.
  • It reinforces the need for instant gratification and numbs our feelings of true hunger.


Here are 5 ways I deal with the urge to snack throughout the day:

  1. Drink lots of water. Even better if it has bubbles. :)
  2. Get up and move. Sometimes you're just looking for some energy. Doing a mini movement session or walking around the block will help with that.
  3. Brush your teeth or chew some sugarless gum to change up the taste in your mouth. The mint flavor might give you a little mental boost, too.
  4. Remove your favorite snacks from your environment and don't buy them. (Duh!)
  5. Stop and ask yourself, "Would I like to eat some veggies or eggs right now?" If so, go eat something healthy. If not, you're really not hungry. Drink some water or clean out a drawer instead. :)

In reality, though, if you’re using food to deal with emotions, it gets a lot more complicated.  That’s when you really need to double-down on the hacks above, but also deal with the emotions you’re feeling in other ways. 

Stop, breathe, recognize the urge to eat when you’re feeling triggered, and realize that it’s ok to feel the hard feelings.  

Sit with them, welcome them, and recognize when they eventually pass. It’s like strengthening any other muscle—the more you deal with the hard feelings, the easier it becomes. If distracting yourself with another activity helps (deep breathing, talking it out, going for a walk), then go ahead and do that, but always give yourself credit for getting through it without using food as your numbing agent. You got this!

Hugs, friends!
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