Our society and our lives have changed a lot in the past few years. Are you having a hard time sticking to your healthy eating habits?
Well it is no wonder. Indulgent food sets off a series of pleasurable sensations that make it easier to forget about uncomfortable emotional experiences.
Coupled with stress, which shuts down our prefrontal cortex (the thinking, planning, decision-making power house), we can only make so many good decisions in a day.
Try creating a Comfort Menu instead. Here is how it works. Make a list of 5-6 quick things, 1-2 minutes tops, that bring you comfort. For example, drinking a full glass of water, stretching, walking down the driveway and back, etc. Make your list visible. Next time you feel the urge to snack, try doing one menu item from your list instead. That should be enough to break the pattern, but if not try another. If you are still hungry, by all means eat. But if you were really just reaching for emotional stimulus you will probably have moved on.
Let me know how it works for you.
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