When you're changing your eating habits, it can be tough to cut down on the foods you shouldn't be eating. This article details a few helpful hints which will help you battle back those cravings and stay healthy for the rest of your life. Read on and keep in mind each as you progress through your journey.
Keeping your mouth busy with things that are good for you, or at least not harmful, is a great way to keep from eating junk food. For example, ice cubes are a crunchy, cool way to get hydrated during the summer. You can also freeze pieces of fruit and suck on them. The fact that they're frozen will ensure you don't inhale them and instead eat them slowly, filling up more quickly. Gum is another option for you, but you may have issues with artificial sweeteners. The debate rages on about whether or not they're healthy for you, but you always have the option of xylitol- or stevia-sweetened organic options.
When you have hunger cravings, but it's not time to eat, you may not actually be hungry--you might be thirsty instead! Have a nice tall glass of filtered water and drink it very slowly. As you sip it, you'll find your tummy fills up and your hunger pains pass. Hydrating your body will also keep your mood high, organs healthy and toxins flowing out. This is an excellent habit to keep up throughout the rest of your life.
About 30 minutes before you eat a meal, enjoy a fresh, juicy apple. Apples are full of fiber, which signals the body you're full, plus they're tough to digest so they occupy your stomach for a longer time. When mealtime comes, you'll be able to eat less of the other foods which might not be all that good for you. You should also have an apple before bed to keep your metabolism up overnight.
Many fruit and vegetables include high amounts of fiber, so they are great to include in your meals, but don't forget about beans! Beans have protein, fiber and tons of other healthy nutrients which your body needs. Include them in salads, main courses and even soups and you'll find they quickly replace many less high-quality foods such as potatoes and rice. In fact, search the Web to find a variety of substitutions to replace the foods you crave but you really shouldn't be having with a bean alternative.
Don't forget breakfast! Your body needs energy to keep going throughout the day, and this starts with a large, healthy breakfast. Include grains, dairy, fruit and protein to ensure you have all the bases covered before you head out. A tall glass of skim milk has been shown to help people lose weight and stave off Type II Diabetes, so include it in your meal, too.
Simple strategies will lead you down the path to losing weight and keeping it off forever. You just have to use them every single day to ensure you're working hard towards your goals. As the pounds melt away, you'll be so pleased with the results; so begin your hard work today!