4 Tips to Reduce Your Overeating
By Donna Stark
I think it's fair to say that almost everyone has overeaten at some point or another during the past year. Between the holidays, vacations, celebrations, and dinners at Grandma's house, how could you not, right? But it's important that you save the overeating for those special occasions only, because eating too much, too frequently, can lead to complicated health issues. For some, this can be quite a challenge because as we all know, food is the great comforter. All that is needed to lead a person to those tasty bites are highly-charged emotions and stressful events. If you are coping with those triggers with mindless eating day after day, check out the following tips on how to stop that destructive behavior.
Talk it Out
While it's impossible to rid your life of stressful and emotional events, you can take the time to ask for help or to share what is going on. Having a positive discussion with a loved one is a great way to reduce your stress, calm your emotions, and come up with any solutions if a decision needs to be made.
Choose Healthier Foods
Have you ever wondered why you don't crave carrot sticks when you are going through a rough time? That's because when the body is stressed, it produces higher levels of cortisol, which can make you crave those sweet and salty foods. So instead of trying to fight it, just choose healthier alternatives! Make a smoothie instead of eating that ice cream or help yourself to some lightly-salted nuts instead of that bag of chips.
Do What You Love
Sometimes, all we need is a little bit of distraction, so get busy doing what you love. Go for that bike ride, have coffee with a friend, or find that book you have been meaning to read. It's an easy way to reset your mind and find some joy while doing so.
Plan Your Indulgences
The key to life is balance, so go ahead and indulge, but just make sure you plan for it. Choosing only one meal or snack a week, where you can eat what you want, is a great way to snag a little bit of joy while also staying on the path of good health. Just don't cheat and be sure to hold yourself accountable! A cheat meal is a meal, not an entire day of eating!
Taking Care of Yourself
The food we eat plays such a crucial role in our lives but it doesn't need to be involved with every emotional event in our life. By making some simple changes to your eating behaviors when stress and emotions are high, you will be able to control the overeating and save the comfort food for times that truly call for it ... like dinner at Grandma's house!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Temecula, Calif.