If you are someone who mindlessly snacks. Whether that is throughout the day, or late in the evening
Sticking a calorie deficit over that like a plaster is literally the WORST thing you can do. It is going to feed into a viscous cycle of restriction and more snacking.
Let’s be real for a second here, Its not that you lack discipline or that you lock self control. It’s probably because you are treating your snacking like an issue that needs to be fixed instead of getting curious about it and trying to understand the reason why youre reaching for the crisps and chocolate at the same time every day.
So in this little blog I am going to give you some tips to help you get curious about your snacking, and address it head on.
However, I do want to just preface this little post by saying, if you have ‘food noise’ or your snacking episodes are impacting your day to day, or triggered by emotion, you should seek help from a professional.
Ask yourself this..
Am I snacking because I have unmet needs?
Did I eat enough protein or fibre today, so I am feeling hungrier than usual?
Am I feeling satisfied after my meals?
Is it the same environment and same habits that are triggering my snacking?
This simple mindful moment has the power to change how you act next.
If it is coming from unmet needs, what needs are they? Can I do a better job and meeting my needs tomorrow?
If you didn’t eat enough protein or fibre, make a conscious effort to build your meals around a main source of protein and be intentional about fibre. Even if it means tracking for a day or two to better understand fuelling your body.
Not satisfied after a meal? Was it balanced enough? What was the portion like? Could I bulk out with leafy greens and veg? Was their enough protein in that meal?
Same habits and environment? Change it!! Slumping in front of the sofa in front of the telly can be easily changed to an evening walk, reading a book, spending time with your partner. Or give yourself permission to snack on something during a time you normally snack but swap it for something fulfilling that will hit the spot and not start a cycle of shame and guilt.
