Let’s be real, oftentimes we eat because we are bored, stress, upset, glee or almost any other emotions that calls for reasons to eat. Being caught in this vicious circle creates an emotional turmoil like hardly anything else. It can make you feel somewhat great in the moment but feels really, really shitty afterwards.
Over time, eating too much food can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of developing a chronic condition, such as diabetes or heart disease.
Regardless of whether you have an eating disorder, breaking the cycle of overeating and sweet/salty cravings can be challenging. However, some techniques can help.
Brush your teeth
Most foods and drinks don't taste good after toothpaste, so brushing could curb cravings while also promoting good oral hygiene.
Drink plenty of water
Drinking a full glass of water before a meal helps to provide a sense of fullness, which lessens your likelihood of overeating as less food will be required to feel satisfied.
Portion control
It's easy to get caught up in eating whatever's there, rather than what you actually want or actually should consume. Eating chips out of the bag, ice cream out of the carton, or takeout straight from the box can lead to consuming more food than is recommended as a serving size.
Portion control is an essential part of avoiding overeating. Portion out a single serving size on a plate or in a bowl to help control the number of calories you consume in one sitting.
Cut out not-so-good habits
If you snack while sitting at your desk all day, or grab the pint of ice cream from the freezer each night before bed, recognizing your not-so-good habits is your starting point. Find a healthy habit to swap for your bad habit. For example, grab a bottle of water and single-serving bar of ice cream instead of eating from the pint. Go for a walk every 45 minutes instead of sitting at your desk all day, and replace your snacks with nuts and raisins.
Breathe, Relax and stretch
Focus on your breath for just sixty seconds or put your hand over your heart and breath and focus on your heartbeat. Super-short centering breaks like this can help you break vicious cycles and be more mindful and relaxed. You can still be kind to yourself and stretch out your neck or your back. Try to create comfort in your body in ways that don’t involve eating.
Take a hot bath
Occupy yourself with a hot bath. Food and bubbles don't mix, and you'll benefit from the extra relaxation. Try out our Epson Salt Bath which helps to relieve stress.
Being on extreme diet would not work. It is important to fuel your body and if you are hungry, you should eat. Set something that is realistic and sustainable for yourself and you are on your way to a better you tomorrow!
Comments