How to Stave Off Dietary Temptations
Is it just me, or is temptation everywhere when you are trying to eat healthier? After the repetitive indulgences of the holidays, I have been making the conscious effort to eat better throughout the month of January. And while the temptations of the holidays were expected, the various temptations that are now popping up are unexpected and, thus, more difficult to refrain from. There are the leftover holiday treats. There’s the new cupcake shop around the corner that makes the MOST delicious red velvet cupcakes. There are fresh bagels in the morning that my husband surprises me with and the salted caramel chocolates that my best friend picks up every time I visit her. The point is, it’s hard to avoid the temptations that we face every single day. However, we’ve compiled a list of a few tips to help you navigate your way past them:
#1: Keep (healthy) snacks at your fingertips.
One of the hardest times to avoid temptation is when you’re hungry. You will be more likely to eat whatever is around if you are going on an empty stomach, so try to keep healthy snacks at hand whenever possible. Things like nuts, carrot sticks, apple slices, and string cheese are healthy options that will do their part in order to stave off between-meal hunger. Or, if you don’t have time to pack your own, make a quick stop at a smoothie joint and order a fruit and yogurt treat.
#2: Bring snacks to share.
If your office is full of temptations (candy bowl, anyone?), fill the position of the office health nut and provide healthier snacks for everyone. There’s no need to dig deep in your pockets for expensive bites, either- bring some oranges to slice during your lunch break or, if you’re the baking type, make some healthy muffins the night before. Your co workers will be appreciative (and so will you)!
#3: Give into your craving.
One of the best things that you can do for your diet is to occasionally indulge. If you systematically deprive yourself of all your favorite treats, then you will be more likely to binge on them later down the road. This isn’t to say that you should pay daily visits to the cupcake shop, but a small piece of dark chocolate after dinner or a trip to the ice cream shop over the weekend isn’t going to derail your entire diet. In fact, those small indulgences will be even more worthwhile when you do eat them.