Little Tricks to Keep You Feeling Full
By Genevieve Cunningham
How healthy is your diet? For most people, diet is hard. There's so much good food out there and so much temptation. We eat well -- most of the time. The problem is that when we try to tighten up and improve our diets, we often feel incredibly hungry. And that feeling of hunger leads to more binge eating, more giving in to cravings, and more calories as a whole. So what are we supposed to do? We're supposed to keep our bellies feeling full and satisfied. If you need a little help staying full, take a look at these tips to get you and your diet moving in the right direction.
Always Drink More Water
Water really fills you up. After a glass or two, you'll notice that your hunger just isn't as strong. You're satisfied. Sometimes, this is because the water literally eases the hunger pains. But other times, it's because what we're perceiving as hunger is actually thirst. Either way, choosing water first -- whether that's over another drink like soda or a snack of some kind -- is a great way to keep your stomach satisfied and your calorie consumption a lot lower.
Space Out Some Small Meals
For years, people were conditioned to eat three big meals per day. There was breakfast, lunch, and dinner -- and there was little talk of anything else. But over the years, this idea has changed drastically. Now most health and wellness professionals suggest eating many small meals throughout the day. The calorie count at each meal will be much lower, but the constant munching is sure to make your stomach -- and your mind -- feel well fed. Just make sure that you're making healthy choices at each small meal, or else you may be doing more harm than good.
Eat Filling Foods
Some foods are more filling than others. If you're filling your body with junk, you're more likely to feel hungry sooner. And this leads to even more food consumption. But if you fill your body with things such as water-dense fruits and vegetables, fiber-filled goodies, and protein-packed snacks, you're more likely to feel satiated. Fill your menu with the right foods, and staying full won't be a problem at all.
If we can keep ourselves feeling full, we're far less likely to overeat. And if we can avoid overeating, we have a much higher chance of maintaining a healthy body weight. Use these tips to keep yourself feeling satisfied, and you'll be on your way to better health in no time at all.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Oklahoma City, Okla.