Mindful Eating Requires You to Focus on Food

It is healthy to have feelings of hunger as you are nearing your next mealtime. Nonetheless, do not give in to creative options your appetite may be suggesting. If hunger pangs are annoying, snack on a whole food like a freshly peeled carrot. You do not have to be hungry to lose weight. Following dietary plans that are based on starving your body is the wrong approach. Many people have lost weight after they stopped dieting and focused on building healthy eating habits.

Appetite and hunger can both be triggered by many things that include sight, smell, and changes in the digestive system. However, your appetite can be influenced by things like boredom or undefined thirst that may lead to creative thoughts. Since your body knows it can get moisture from food, it can be easy for your brain to mistakenly think you are hungry when you are actually thirsty. The next time you are feeling hungry, drink a glass of water and wait ten minutes.

Thinking weight loss is just about calories in and calories burned doesn’t deal with all the issues linked to true hunger and food cravings linked to your appetite. If you are having to deal with these issues, try the proven tips listed below:

• Mindful Eating – It is easy to fall into the habit of rushing through your meals or constantly eating on the go, but mindful eating means you should make it a practice to sit down and take time for meals. That way you enjoy the foods you eat.
• Eat at Mealtime – Avoid skipping meals and planned snacks during the day because you think you are too busy or to save up calories for a later meal. Depriving yourself can easily lead to overeating.
• Add Good Fats – Unsaturated fats like avocados and nuts have been found to play a pivotal role in signaling your brain that you are full and it is time to stop eating for now.
• Don’t Ignore Cravings – You may feel virtuous blaming your food cravings on nutritional needs, but it just ain’t so. If you are craving something bad, try eating something filling instead. It will be almost as satisfying and a healthier food substitute.
• Drink More Fluids – Water-filled fruits and vegetables, like watermelon, is high in fiber and consists of 92 percent water, which is a natural appetite suppressant.

To manage your hunger and your appetite takes time and patience. Starving yourself is not the answer and will have to trust the process that works for you. Most times a slower approach is more likely to stick and can be much less painful. Accept the fact that protein and fiber are your best friends when you are trying to lose weight and keep it off for good. When true hunger strikes increase your protein intake and double up on non-starchy vegetables.

Planned snacks can also help you manage food cravings. Learning to experience hunger as a healthy signal that it is time to eat means you should not feel stuffed all the time. On the other hand, you won’t have to skip celebrations with family and friends if you have control over any nuisance appetite. Instead of trying to cut as many calories as possible from your daily intake, contact a weight loss specialist at Metabolic Research Center to learn more about what you should be eating, when you should be eating it as well as how to eat healthy.