Learning to cope with triggers and cravings
It’s no secret that triggers and cravings can completely derail our best intentions to stay on track with our health and wellness goals. Whether it’s the smell of freshly baked cookies that sends us running to the kitchen for a late-night snack or the stressful environment of our job that leads us to Comfort food, we all have specific scenarios that make us more likely to make less-than-healthy choices.
The good news is that we can learn to cope with triggers and cravings, and even eventually overcome them. Here are some tips to get started:
1. Avoid trigger foods. If you know that certain foods (like sugary snacks or unhealthy comfort foods) are likely to trigger a binge, do your best to avoid them altogether. This isn’t always possible, but it’s worth it to try to avoid trigger foods as much as you can.
2. Pre-plan healthy snacks and meals. If you know you’ll be in a situation where you’re likely to be tempted by unhealthy foods, come prepared with healthy snacks and meals. This way, you won’t be as tempted to indulge in unhealthy choices.
3. Find other ways to cope with stress. If your job is a major source of stress in your life, find other ways to cope with that stress. This might include exercise, journaling, Meditation, or spending time with friends and family.
4. Practice mindful eating. Once you’re in a situation where you’re faced with food temptations, take a moment to assess how you’re feeling. Are you really hungry, or are you just stressed or bored? If you’re not actually hungry, try to find another way to cope with that emotion instead of eating.
5. Avoid eating when you’re not hungry. This is a difficult one, but it’s worth it to try to avoid eating when you’re not actually hungry. If you’re eating because you’re bored, stressed, or sad, you’re more likely to make unhealthy choices and overeat.
6. Listen to your body. When you do eat, pay attention to your body’s cues. If you’re full, stop eating. It’s okay to listen to your body and not finish everything on your plate.
7. Take your time. Don’t feel like you have to stuff your face as quickly as possible. Eating too quickly can lead to overeating, so take your time and savor your food.
8. Avoid distractions. When you’re eating, turn off the TV, put away your phone, and focus on your food. This will help you be more mindful of what you’re eating and how much you’re eating.
9. Find other ways to satisfy your cravings. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we can’t resist our cravings. If you find yourself in this situation, try to find a healthier way to satisfy your craving. For example, if you’re craving something sweet, have a piece of fruit or a healthy smoothie instead.
10. Be patient. Learning to cope with triggers and cravings takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and don’t be discouraged if you have a slip-up. Just get back on track and keep working at it. Full Article
The physical consequences of binge eating
.
Do you have an unhealthy relationship with food? Do you find yourself regularly indulging in large amounts of food, even when you’re not physically hungry? If so, you may be engaging in a dangerous behavior known as binge eating.
While most people are aware of the impact that overeating can have on their waistline, they may not be as familiar with the other physical consequences that can result from this behavior. Binge eating can lead to a wide range of health problems, both short- and long-term.
In the short-term, binge eating can cause indigestion, bloating, and stomach pain. It can also lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Over time, these health problems can lead to more serious conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Binge eating can also contribute to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphic disorder.
If you’re struggling with binge eating, it’s important to seek help from a qualified medical or mental health professional. With treatment, you can learn to develop a healthier relationship with food and your body.
We used mengeredstoo.co.uk to write this article about how to stop binge eating. Original Content.