{"id":4141,"date":"2020-06-04T23:10:48","date_gmt":"2020-06-04T23:10:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterfood.co\/?p=4141"},"modified":"2020-06-06T20:04:53","modified_gmt":"2020-06-06T20:04:53","slug":"how-to-stop-food-cravings-when-not-hungry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betterfood.co\/how-to-stop-food-cravings-when-not-hungry\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Stop Food Cravings When You\u2019re Not Hungry?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Not hungry but you want to eat? Eating one meal a day to try to lose weight? <\/p>\n
Buckle up.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll show you our ten best ways for how to stop food cravings when you\u2019re not hungry, so you can get back to the shape you want.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll share top weight loss secrets, as well as answer questions around skipping meals, foods that kill hunger, and shrinking your stomach (or not, as it turns out).<\/p>\n
Read on, and see which reasons for eating when you\u2019re not hungry apply to you. (And what to do about it!)<\/p>\n
Find out what you\u2019re really hungry for, or if you\u2019re even hungry at all.<\/p>\n
How hungry are you on a scale of 1 to 10?<\/p>\n
For this scale, one means full and ten means famished.<\/p>\n
\n
We often eat when we\u2019re bored. Try a few clever tactics to distract yourself from snacking.<\/p>\n
Keep a puzzle book next to the fridge and do a quick Sudoku, call a friend, or do a mini-workout.<\/p>\n
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We also eat out of habit. if you show up in front of the fridge at 4 pm for that afternoon snack, you are training your body to want to munch at that time, whether you\u2019re genuinely hungry or not.<\/p>\n
However don\u2019t wait till you\u2019re at level 11. if you\u2019re ravenously hungry, you\u2019ll be more likely to reach for the first thing available.<\/p>\n
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Ask yourself (or the food) to give you what you really want. Often it\u2019s a form of emotional comfort. Can you get that from a chocolate pudding? Ask it and you\u2019ll see\u2026not.<\/p>\n
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Instead, engage in some quick physical activity such as a brisk walk or run. And if emotional eating is a problem for you, there are many trained therapists who specialize in supporting those of us with eating issues.<\/p>\n
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What are the consequences of eating when you\u2019re not hungry? <\/p>\n
Remember what happens when you give in.<\/p>\n
It isn\u2019t about berating yourself, it\u2019s about remembering that you deserve to feel great \u2014 inside and out.<\/p>\n
One of the biggest consequences of eating when you\u2019re not hungry is added stress, which creates more problems as stress has been linked to increased fat<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n Laughter therapy<\/a> is a great stress-buster. And remember to congratulate yourself on what you do well. A gratitude journal is a great way to record your successes.<\/p>\n \n We often crave \u201cmouth feel,\u201d in other words, the need to taste something just for the pleasure of it. <\/p>\n This is where drinking water can work well \u2014 just be sure to drink water BEFORE meals<\/a>, not during and not after. This is because you don\u2019t want to dilute the digestive juices in the stomach. <\/p>\n Not only does drinking water give you a bit of \u201cmouth feel\u201d (even more if you add a squeeze of lemon or lime), but it helps reduce appetite. You could also make flavored water by infusing it with some cucumber or mint.<\/p>\n \n Chewing gum works great<\/a> too! Chewing gum has also been shown to help reduce appetite. <\/p>\n Other ways to not eat when you\u2019re not hungry include deep breathing, talking to kids, watching cute cat videos, taking a shower, etc. They\u2019re all great options if you want to know how to prevent yourself from eating when you don\u2019t want to.<\/p>\n \n Add more protein to your diet. Frequent protein consumption has helped people (men, in this study<\/a>) who are obese or trying to lose weight. <\/p>\n Foods high in protein are also great \u201cgrazing\u201d foods, as they are highly satisfying and help stave off hunger and the urge to eat.<\/p>\n Chicken is a great source of lean protein, check out 21 Easy Chicken Recipes to Try At Home Now<\/a>! <\/p>\n Some ideas for protein snacks:<\/p>\n *If you are on a low-fat diet, learn How to Fry an Egg Without Oil or Butter<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n <\/span><\/p>\n And eat more leafy greens!<\/p>\n Kale, arugula, romaine, cabbage, etc. And especially spinach, as the plant compounds in green leafy vegetables have been linked to weight loss<\/a>.<\/p>\n Need fresh ideas? Here are 9 Broccoli Recipes<\/a> that your lips won\u2019t be able to get enough of!<\/p>\n \n Uncertainty or reaching for the first food that you can find is a definite cravings trap. And when you need to go food shopping, go right after a meal, not when you\u2019re already hungry.<\/p>\n Are you keto? Check out these awesome Quick and Easy Keto Frozen Meals<\/a>. <\/p>\n \n And make sure your meals are nutritious because we often crave what we eat the most of. So the more unhealthy foods you eat, the more you\u2019ll crave those foods<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more info, read this article to learn All You Need to Know About Healthy Non-Perishable Food<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n Do you usually eat in the car on long drives? Or at the movies? <\/p>\n Think about what locations your body associates with food, and look at how you can switch it up!<\/p>\n \n Try healthy foods in the car. Celery and peanut butter. Trail mix. A sandwich you make yourself.<\/p>\n Pack your own healthy movie snacks (refer back to the protein snack list under reason #5). You can buy snack-sized bags of air-popped corn that\u2019s much less calorically dense than movie theater popcorn!<\/p>\n \n Celebrate mealtimes with candles, music, and flowers in your favorite part of the house.<\/p>\n Eat slowly and savor the experience.<\/p>\n \n Rest! <\/p>\n Lack of enough sleep is a contributing factor to cravings and even increases BMI<\/a> and therefore obesity<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n \u200b<\/span><\/p>\n Eat something healthy before you go to weddings, dinner parties, or other large social events.<\/p>\n This is particularly important if you get nervous and therefore find yourself constantly wanting to eat at big gatherings.<\/p>\n Nervous energy is another reason why we can find ourselves with a desire to eat for no reason.<\/p>\n \n If you get caught out next to the buffet feeling awkward, step away from the food and distract yourself in a conversation or physical activity (this is why I often offer to help tidy up at parties!).<\/p>\n \n Slow it right down, be mindful of what you\u2019re eating. Really focus on the food and enjoy the process of eating as a delight.<\/p>\n Practicing \u201cmindful eating\u201d can definitely help with weight control<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n <\/span><\/p>\n The good news is that cravings only last three to five minutes, which isn\u2019t very long. Although it can seem that way when you feel like you just want to eat and you don\u2019t know why. <\/p>\n Apply one of the strategies above, and in just a few minutes, the desire to eat will probably pass.<\/p>\n \n Mindful eating (see point ten above) is probably one of the best ways to not feel hungry after less food. <\/p>\n The slower you eat, the quicker you\u2019ll fill up.<\/p>\n \n It takes 30 minutes for the stomach to send the message to the brain that you\u2019ve eaten enough, so if you eat in less time than that, you are more likely to eat too much.<\/p>\n \n Smaller plates can help here too. <\/p>\n Smaller plates mean smaller portions \u2014 one of the best tricks to stop eating too much.<\/p>\n \n The top foods, particularly if you\u2019re constantly wanting to eat, are ones that are high in protein or that include green leafy vegetables. Try a green salad with plenty of roasted chicken breast and a low-fat dressing!<\/p>\n Need some new ideas for how to cook chicken breast? Click here for Betterfood\u2019s Chicken Breast Recipe List<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n No. This is a common myth. <\/p>\n Eating less food won\u2019t make your stomach any smaller in size, but it will help reset your \u201cappetite thermostat<\/a>,\u201d meaning you\u2019ll be satisfied with less food than before.<\/p>\n \n It isn\u2019t ideal, as going to bed hungry can affect sleep patterns and increase anxiety<\/a>. <\/p>\n Better to eat something light, the best being an apple or melon, or other fruit that is rapidly digested by the body.<\/p>\n \n Try not to do this, as skipping meals can increase the risk of diabetes and hypertension<\/a>. <\/p>\n In addition, the body thinks that food has become scarce, so most of the calories that you eat at your next meal will be stored as fat.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Become the master of controlling your food cravings by doing these four things:<\/p>\n 1.<\/strong>Cook for yourself at home. Stick to a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods. Go wild with green, leafy vegetables, lean protein sources, and satisfying starches like sweet potato! Need new cookware to make this goal happen? Click for our 2020 T-Fal Reviews<\/a> and get cookin<\/em>\u2019!2.<\/strong><\/p>\n Follow a personal exercise program. This can be any movement you enjoy doing, just be sure to get your heart rate up (safely!) and engage those muscles even if it\u2019s just for a daily walk.<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong><\/p>\n Prioritize a good night\u2019s sleep. While we sleep, the body absorbs the nutrients we took in during the day. Also, our muscles get a chance to relax and repair themselves from our daily exercise.<\/p>\n 4.<\/strong><\/p>\n Drink more water. Sometimes when we feel hungry, we are actually a little low on hydration! Sip on some crisp, cool water and re-analyze your craving before you eat.<\/p>\n When your body is well-nourished, exercised, hydrated, and rested \u2014 you\u2019ll experience a natural decrease in cravings. All your vitamin and mineral needs will be met and you\u2019ll feel ready to tackle anything on your daily to-do list.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Not hungry but you want to eat? Eating one meal a day to try to lose weight? Buckle up. We\u2019ll show you our ten best ways for how to stop food cravings when you\u2019re not hungry, so you can get back to the shape you want. We\u2019ll share top weight loss secrets, as well as … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":4158,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,21],"tags":[28,29],"yoast_head":"\nLaugh More, Eat Less<\/h3>\n
4. I Just Want a Taste of Something<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Drink Water<\/h3>\n
Chew Gum<\/h3>\n
5. I\u2019m Really Hungry All the Time<\/h2>\n
<\/h3>\n
Eat More Protein-Rich Foods<\/h3>\n
\n
Eat More Green Leaves<\/h3>\n
6. I Need Food Right Now!<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Plan Your Meals<\/h3>\n
Make Meals Nutritious<\/h3>\n
7. I Can\u2019t Help It, I Always Eat in the Car, at the Movies\u2026<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Change Location<\/h3>\n
Change Your Snacks<\/h3>\n
Make Mealtimes Special<\/h3>\n
8. I Need the Energy<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/h3>\n
Prioritize Your Sleep<\/h3>\n
9. I\u2019m Feeling Nervous<\/span><\/h2>\n
Stock Up Right<\/span><\/h3>\n
And If You Get Caught Out<\/h3>\n
10. Practice mindful eating<\/h2>\n
<\/h3>\n
Focus on the Food<\/h3>\n
FAQs for How to Stop Food Cravings When You\u2019re Not Hungry<\/h2>\n
Q: How Do You Stop Cravings?<\/h3>\n
Q: How Can I Train Myself to Eat Less?<\/h3>\n
Mindful Eating<\/h4>\n
Take Your Time<\/h4>\n
Use Smaller Plates<\/h4>\n
Q: What Food Kills Hunger?<\/h3>\n
Q: Does Your Stomach Shrink if You Eat Less?<\/h3>\n
Q: Is It OK to Go to Bed Hungry?<\/h3>\n
Q: Is It OK to Eat One Meal a Day?<\/h3>\n
<\/h2>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n