Have your eating habits changed since being quarantined at home? Hopefully they have changed for the better, but if not, we encourage you to take this as an opportunity to make improvements. Whether you are working from home, or not working at all, being quarantined at home means we are all out of our usual routine and are more susceptible to boredom eating. Have you been catching yourself having multiple snacks between meals? Are you pacing in the kitchen searching for yet another snack because the last one didn’t seem to satisfy your craving? You are suffering from boredom eating! So how do you stop it?
Tips for preventing boredom eating:
– When you feel like you are craving a snack, drink a glass of water or tea. Often when our body is thirsty or even dehydrated we confuse this for hunger. Drink one glass of a healthy beverage and then wait half an hour before deciding if you really need food.
– Go for a walk, clean a corner of your house you have been avoiding, sit down and make a to-do list, maybe even play a card game. Find something to distract your brain; if you can occupy your mind you will often find that you really weren’t hungry.
– Plan your meals and snacks. Often in our usual routines we have certain times of the day when snacking or meals are appropriate. Try to set up your new routine so it is similar and only allow snacks at specific times between meals.
– Look for cues, are you always wanting a snack while watching TV? Do you reach for a snack every time you have a stressful work phone call? Once you aware of situations or times of day that you are more likely to snack, it will be easier to plan healthy snacks or avoid them.
If you do decide to have a snack try to make sure it has healthy fats and proteins. Eating snacks full of empty carbohydrates will make you feel tired and you will want another snack in another hour or so. Filling up on healthy proteins and fats will satisfy you longer and leave you with more energy. Here are some ideas: nuts, yogurt, a banana, hard boiled eggs, avocado (or guacamole), granola, or humus. Fruits and vegetables can also make great snacks: apples, berries, cucumber slices, and carrot or celery sticks.
Are you looking for more support to improve your nutrition and dietary habits? Call us today to set up a nutritional consultation with Caroline at 207-377-9344.