Many of us (me included) might eat our green veggies and fruits and diet soups during the day, but there is nothing greater and soul satisfying than digging your teeth into chocolate donuts, pizza and cold coffee at odd hours of the night. 

Studies have shown that the hunger hormone in our bodies or “ghrelin” peaks after periods of fasting, and our body rhythms are programmed to crave salty, starchy and sweet filled food during evening time when hunger is highest, in a bid by the body to store extra energy if ever required.

Although I don’t need to store any extra energy, but who can resist a cheesy pizza or fried pakoras at all odd hours…simply because they were lying around. While you are at it, why run away from the chocolate bars in the fridge? They might be your son’s but he really won’t miss some chocolate missing.

But if you are piling on extra pounds unnecessarily, maybe it’s time to exercise your brain and hands and follow some tips to curb your cravings, before it turns into a health scare.

1) Out of sight, out of mind: This works for me…either give away all (or at least some) your fried chips and cookies to the homeless hungry children on the road or hide them somewhere where you can’t reach easily…you will automatically eat less.

2) Stop eating while watching television or when you are utterly bored: Don’t eat mindlessly in front of the television, simply because you have nothing better to do. Keep yourself occupied with something constructive always.

3) Nibble on a carrot/celery stick or eat low fat yoghurt with fat free crackers: Anything which is not “empty calories” but fills you up in a healthy way will control your snack urges. This took me some time but works eventually.

4) Chew continuously on fat free/sugarless chewing gum: Just the act of chewing continuously, will distract your brain and send the signal of being full and content to your brain, so that you eat less junk food.

5) Fill up with herbal and green teas. Also eat healthy meals with some protein before 7 in the evening: Hot water fills you up and you tend to snack less if your brain says you are full. Also eat protein rich small solid meals before your craving starts in the evening. Eat sensibly during the day and you won’t attack the fridge at night.

I was utterly bored in the beginning but after I ended up fitting into an old dress, just in time for a friend’s anniversary, it was all well worth it! 

#junkfood #snacking #pastries #unhealthy

The Resilient Recruiter