Avoid Snacking When You Are Bored or Distracted

Boredom eating is a form of emotional eating that functions much the same way as eating when you are stressed, anger, or anxious. You turn to food because it makes you feel good, so it is your responsibility to pick good foods. Nowadays, food has become as much a source of entertainment as it is daily nourishment.

Where boredom is a creative privilege, it can become a curse if you are trying to manage your weight and improve your overall health. Eating out of boredom can cause unintentional weight gain. Finding a distraction can stimulate the brain and help to prevent boredom and cravings for excess food when you are really not hungry. Nonetheless, once you decide to eat, take time to enjoy your snack.

How to make snacking a satisfying experience…

Snacking happens and not necessarily when you are hungry. To manage boredom eating, be aware of how often you snack and make healthier choices to make it a satisfying experience. It is a good way develop an appreciation for healthy snacks that are great for managing hunger signals:

• Fresh Veggie Snacks – Keeping cut vegetables in the refrigerator can help you manage boredom eating. Although you may not really be hungry, you might as well eat something that compliments your daily food intake.
• Plain Popcorn Snacks – Whether you are trying to lose weight or not, popcorn is a whole grain that offers many of the same benefits as wheat, barley, and oats. In fact, popcorn is usually acceptable for most low carb diets.
• Eat Mindfully – Stay in tune with your body’s signals and only eat until you satisfied your urges. Having pre-sized snacks will help to avoid getting caught off guard and eliminate the need for making an immediate food choice.
• Healthy Fruit Snacks – When it comes to a handy snack, eating an apple is one of the all-time favorites. Apples are full of fiber, nutrients, and can help ward off mid-meal hunger pangs. Plus, it is really easy to keep an apple close at hand.

Understand the difference between physical and emotional hunger…

To avoid boredom eating, it is important to understand the difference between emotion hunger and physical hunger triggered by the normal production and release of ghrelin hormone. Being perceptive of your hunger and fullness signals may be one of the most effective ways to determine whether you are hungry or bored.

When your body is physically hungry and needs fuel, you may notice feelings of weakness or a sudden headache. Feeling uninterested in a task at hand can lead to boredom. In fact, boredom can occur even when you feel energetic but are unsatisfied by an activity and have nowhere to direct your energy. Re-focusing on the task may prove to be an effective distraction.

At Metabolic Research Center, we know not everyone needs the same support. In addition to your team of coaches, you also have access to our private online support communities where clients and coaches share ideas for their favorite snacks, and more.