Fresh start for fall!
A new season is an opportunity for a fresh start. During the summer, many of us had juicy burgers and s’mores at our fingertips. Let’s face it we were challenged at every darn barbeque, bonfire and party! We want to look our very best for back-to-school and fall’s latest trends, but it’s hard to fight those tempting sweet, salty or fried cravings. Fear not, here are 5 ways to put an end to temptation.
Eat every 3 to 4 hours. Spreading your caloric intake evenly throughout the day keeps your blood sugar stable. You’ll have more willpower, make better food choices and eat more appropriate portions.
Don’t deprive yourself. When it comes to making changes in our diet, people often adopt an “all or none” mentality. It’s okay to indulge cravings—just don’t overdo it. Have that treat. Keep the proportion small so it remains in the 100 calorie range. By incorporating it on a daily basis, we’re less likely to overeat when the next temptation arises.
Switch gears. When you find yourself looking for food, even though you’re not hungry, do something else for 20 minutes. Choose a task that involves your brain as well as your hands, such as playing an instrument, cleaning out a drawer or even a load of laundry. If you feel that you really are hungry, set your kitchen timer for 20 minutes—if you still want to eat when it rings, fine. If not, the urge will have passed and you also may feel pretty accomplished getting a couple of those chores done.
Eat natural, raw and clean foods. Limit the amount of artificial sweeteners and artificially sweetened, and those unnaturally fat-free foods you eat. Studies have been published with findings that indicate that consuming artificially sweetened foods and beverages may throw off your natural ability to monitor calories and increase your likelihood of overeating. An easy rule of thumb is if it’s in a package, read the label first. You may quickly change your mind and opt for a healthy alternative, just by knowing what you are really eating.
Sleep well. Sleep deprivation influences your food choices, making you crave high-carb and high-sugar foods. This is because sleep loss decreases insulin sensitivity, putting the sleep-deprived at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. So sleep more! Shut down your electronics at bedtime. It will give you more of an opportunity for uninterrupted sleep, which will make it easier to fight that cookie craving, and wake up a whole new you, giving you the best opportunity to make the most of every day.
