Always Opt for Fresh Healthy Food Snacks

If you have mid-meal hunger pangs, avoid eating in front of the TV or computer. Distractions make it easy to overeat as well as to make poor food choices. Eating mindfully can help regulate hunger hormones. You probably don’t need to do more to be less bored. Taking the time to enjoy a pre-planned snack can help you get more out of your day, and you should start with the simple act of slowing down.

You can use snacks to manage hunger between meals but plan for what snacks you are going to have during the day and when. To minimize the harmful effects of eating due to boredom, avoid snacking on baked goods, sweet treats, and sugary drinks. Your body digests these foods quickly and signal your brain that you are hungry again.

Snack with purpose to avoid boredom eating…

Awareness is the first step on your road to managing boredom eating. If you set healthy routines, you can snack with purpose and totally avoid boredom eating. Here are some planned strategies that can help you control this potentially harmful habit:

• Fresh Veggie Snacks – Generally speaking, people like to snack on French fries but even a small order can be filled with calories and fat grams. Butternut squash, turnips, carrots, and roasted root vegetables can be a satisfying alternative.
• Plain Popcorn Snacks – Avoid adding butter and salt to make popcorn the ultimate high-volume snack. There are plenty of brands that offer pre-packaged popcorn that is ready to eat and lower in calories.
• 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 – Fresh fruit snacks have a few advantages as it is all natural, delicious to eat, and more filling than some other options. Munching on fresh berries is a good option especially if you are craving sweetness.

Ask yourself why you are eating this... now?

While boredom eating is not new, it may be to some people or more prevalent for others. One way to combat food cravings and the urge to eat is ask yourself “why am I eating this?”. It can help you refocus a bored mindset. It is easy to confuse boredom with laziness, but they are notably different.

When you feel bored, you are really restless to do something, but nothing feels compelling or motivating. Boredom eating on occasion can be completely normal and nothing to worry about. However, it may become frustrating when you engage in mindless eating every day, which can also lead to negative health outcomes.

At Metabolic Research Center, our weight loss specialists will show you how it is easier today than ever before to find healthy foods and snacks in your local grocery store. But, knowing where to find these delicious foods is just one part of the equation.