Outsmart Your Food Triggers To Stay Healthy
This is a short and snappy post about situations that trigger eating, because food is a big part of our life. Sometimes we eat not just because we're hungry, but for all sorts of other reasons. Maybe we're bored, upset, or just feeling a bit down, and food seems like the best way to cope. Over time, we might find ourselves eating even when we're not really hungry. While this might be okay occasionally, consistently overeating can make it harder to stay slim and healthy.
Food Triggers
Emotional Eating: You might find yourself reaching for food when you're out with friends, enjoying a pizza and beer. Or you might feel blue and soothe yourself with some chocolate. No matter if we’re on an emotional high or a despondent low, food doesn't solve the underlying issues we’re facing, so it's important to find other ways to cope with these feelings.
Boredom: This is a big trigger for many people. If there's nothing better to do, you might start thinking about what's in the fridge. If you recognize boredom as a reason you're eating, try to keep yourself busy with activities like exercise, a walk, or a chat. It might not sound as appealing as your favorite food right now, but keeping your mind occupied is a proven way to prevent overeating.
Food is Easy to Reach: How many times has a coworker left a jar of chocolates or some Timbits out for everyone to enjoy? It's meant to be a goodwill gesture, but it can also be a temptation that's hard to resist. If you find yourself reaching for these snacks, try moving them out of sight or ask your coworkers to keep them away.
Special Occasions: These can be tricky because there's always an event that's hard to pass up. Most of these events involve a lot of junk food and alcohol. If you can't resist the temptation, it might be best to skip the celebration.
In any situation, the key is recognizing real hunger for what it is. Eat only when you're truly hungry and because you're truly hungry. Understanding and addressing the easy availability of food, social situations, emotional eating triggers, or boredom is the foundation for developing a healthy relationship with food.