HOw Meal Planning Keeps Me FrOm Binge Eating

 

Do you think you’re too busy to make healthy eating choices, or that your life is too chaotic to pack a lunch, cook dinner, or prepare healthy snacks? Do you have a sedentary job that is starting to pose a risk to your health and your waistline? Now is not the time to throw in the towel, because you don’t need extra time to be healthy and lose weight; you just need to use your time a little more wisely. Here is how I used meal planning to get my life and my eating habits on the right track to healthy living.

Tip 1 – Cook in Batches and Store in Containers

Determine which is your “slowest” day of the week. On that day, “batch cook” your meals for the week, then separate them into containers and store them in the freezer. This will ensure that you have a healthy meal option at all times and prevent you from reaching for those unhealthy, processed foods.

Tip 2 – Get a Stylish Meal Bag

Splurge on a super-stylish lunch bag or cooler that you WANT to take with you. Now give yourself a reason to take it to work, vacation, anywhere—fill it up! Eat leftovers from last night’s healthy dinner, or get creative and pull together something healthy from your fridge. Having your lunch in a good looking and nicely organized bag will deter you from heading for the drive-thru.

Tip 3 – Drink Up

Water, H2O, Aqua! You should be drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day, more if you are trying to lose weight and curb cravings. Not only does it hydrate you and keep your body working smoothly, but it can help abate cravings and help your body flush out harmful toxins.

Tip 4 – Add More Protein

Adding more protein to your daily diet can help you calm your hunger and ultimately lead to weight loss. You can buy protein supplements to avoid the excessive calories, or simply substitute some high-protein foods for others you currently eat.

Tip 5 – Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is a probiotic that may be an efficient weight loss tonic to help you shed extra pounds and water weight and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Tip 6 – Handle the Cravings

It happens almost every time you try to stop binge eating – you start craving food like chocolate, cookies, and other high-calorie food.  These food cravings are both physiological and psychological. Here are some ways to help tame them:

• Eat protein: Have a high protein snack like skinless chicken or turkey, fish, eggs, or low-fat cheese. Be sure to start including more protein in your meals to keep you fuller longer.
• Find a distraction: Many times, cravings are psychological, caused by boredom, anxiety, or other emotions. Find another activity to take your mind off them.
• Chew gum: Studies have shown that chewing sugar-free gum may help reduce cravings for sugary foods.
• Pamper yourself: Take some time to treat yourself. When you feel better about your body and your health, you’re more likely to make better choices regarding what you put into it.
• Brush your teeth: Brushing and flossing your teeth can help mitigate your cravings to eat.
  

  Brush Your Teeth to Lessen Hunger

• Refine your palate: Add more whole grains and nuts, beans, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and whole-wheat foods to your diet and snacks. These will be lower in calories, but will fill you up.

 

Planning your meals and knowing how to handle cravings are two proactive ways you can start leading a healthier lifestyle. Meal planning keeps you from heading to the nearest fast food restaurant or grabbing the nearest candy bar at the last minute, and more importantly, it helps give you a holistic picture of your diet. Knowing how to handle cravings will help keep you on track with your bigger plan!

Can you use ideas on meal planning? Be sure to send me an email for options, karen@corksandconversation.com