If you are like a good number of us out there you unconsciously or consciously put food in your mouth when you are NOT hungry. You reach for that cookie, candy bar, pint of favorite ice cream when you are stressed, sad, angry, upset, disappointed, worried, and bored. How many times can you count that you look down at a bag of chips, box of cookies, quart of ice cream and it is Empty yes Empty...all gone. You look around and say I didn't eat all that someone else must of had some and there is no one around but you. It was the mindless putting your hand in the bag or container while watching tv, a movie or just lost in thought. You feel you deserve to have that cookie, chip, chocolate candy or ice cream. Oh yes lets not forget the snack cakes, donuts, bagels, nachos and even the occasional bag of carrots and ranch dressing for our more in control days. You worked hard today and the boss yelled at you, the bank messed up your account again and they are not working with you, you broke up with your boyfriend/girlfriend, you didn't get the raise, promotion, traffic was bad, you gained a pound today, you lost two pounds today, there is nothing to do and nowhere to go. You always have a reason why you must reward yourself but are you really?
Why do we keep allowing ourselves to give into these Cravings? The answer is ? Well there are a lot of answers to this question. You don't know, you don't feel you can control the urges, you don't think you do it that often, why try when you will only fail and on and on.
I am speaking from experience as soon as I come home from work I find myself with my hand on the cupboard door looking inside the cupboard to see what will magically jump out of the cupboard and make everything alright. But alas there is no magic wand or geni to save the day. I continue to look for that perfect pacifier will it be chocolate today, crackers, chips, or all three? The answer is a new approach.
I need to try something different like start taking walks, riding my bike, listening to music, sitting in the backyard and listening to the birds, writing an article, meditating or really eat something if I am truly hungry and make it be part of my evening meal.
I am not sure why we need "comfort foods" I feel that it is the one thing we have control over we choose to eat the food, and we believe we will feel better because we were in control in an out of control world.
I have been working on just taking a few pieces and putting the rest away; some days that works and other days I find myself going back again and again to have just a few more. I feel that is when I am truly hungry, and I need to find something that has good protein, vitamins and minerals.
Sitting in front of the tv or watching a movie are the worst times to give into to cravings. Most of the time you are concentrating on the tv or movie that you don't even know you are eating anything. Also you should not eat your dinner in front of the tv. If you practice mindful eating and chew each bite several times and focus on the texture and flavor of the food you are chewing you will actually eat less and enjoy your food more.
If you cannot reduce or control your cravings, maybe you should try to not have the tempting items in your home. Decide which item you really want to indulge in and make it a special treat where you get only that item or a smaller portion and reward yourself instead of punishing yourself craving something you only feel bad about eating after you are done. You will be able to control your weight more also.
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