Hungry all day? Try these simple hacks to help curb your cravings!
Volume Eating “Volume Eating” means opting for foods that have lower amounts of calories for a larger portion of food. This helps keep your stomach full, and curb that ‘hungry’ feeling. For example, a large salad with protein and healthy fats is going to offer you a larger portion of food versus a pasta dish (and keep you fuller for longer too!). Create your meals with protein, fat & fiber Here’s a simple formula: · Protein: 4+ oz (ex: chicken, beef, fish, eggs) · Fat: 1-2 oz (ex: avocado, butter, olive oil, nut butter) · Non-Starchy Veggies: aim for 2+ cups (ex: leafy greens, zucchini, tomato, peppers, celery, cucumber, mushrooms, brussels sprouts, broccoli) · Starch/Fruit: moderation is key – aim for only 1 serving (ex: 1 apple, 1 sweet potato, 1 cup of berries) Blood Sugar Hacks Regulating your blood sugar can help with cravings and hunger. Here are some simple ways to naturally help regulate blood sugar: · Don’t eat carbs naked – in other words, always pair them with a fat or protein so slow the absorption of the carbohydrate into your system. If you can, aim to eat the protein/fat first! (ex: apple w/ nut butter, chicken then sweet potato, eggs then toast) · Choose items as close to the source as possible. Avoiding highly processed foods is crucial in balancing your blood sugar. Choose real, whole food items instead of boxed varieties. (ex: instead of canned fruit, choose whole fruit; instead of processed meat like sausage and lunch meat, choose fresh varieties like chicken breast and ground beef). Our bodies recognize fresh, whole foods and are able to convert them into energy easier than processed versions which helps keep blood sugar levels steady.