Drink Plenty of Water
Sometimes the body can get confused and cross its signals. If you are craving something sweet, your body could actually just be dehydrated and in need of water. Drink a large glass of water when you experience unhealthy cravings or hunger outside of mealtime. This could help satiate your body enough to curb cravings so you can say “no” to the office candy dish.
Prioritize Protein
Protein is a necessary nutrient to our diets, and it also helps you feel full for longer. If you feel full throughout the day, you are less likely to feel like snacking on unhealthy treats and sweets. Protein can help diminish your cravings as well, because your body doesn’t feel like it is in need of more nutrients.
Ditch Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are typically not actually better for you than traditional sugar. While both are bad for your health, artificial sweeteners can cause the signals that control appetite in your brain to get mixed up or ignored. Some sweeteners that are considered “healthy”, like Stevia, actually taste ten times sweeter than the average sweetener. If your taste buds develop an appetite for this sweeter flavor, it is likely that you will crave more of it in higher quantities.
Substitute Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
Substituting yummy berries and melons for dessert is a tasty solution! Just remember to brush and floss your teeth afterward to keep the sugar and acid off your teeth so it doesn't cause enamel wear and tooth decay.
Vegetables are also a great snack to keep you fuller for longer. Instead of grabbing potato chips, try toasting some kale with a little bit of salt to satisfy your crunchy/salty craving. Not only are vegetables good for your body, but the texture of crunchy vegetables like carrots can also help scrape some bad bacteria off of your teeth.
Avoid Stress & Triggers
While avoiding stress is sometimes easier said than done, there are other ways to help your body cope other than eating sweets. A few things you can try to help cope with stress are… meditation, yoga, exercise, etc.
Avoid triggers or tempting situations like grocery shopping while hungry, or attending a party on an empty stomach. If you know you will be attending a party where you will be surrounded by a lot of sweets, eat a meal that is high in protein before leaving and make sure you are well hydrated. Chew on a piece of gum during the party to help prevent absent-minded snacking as well.
Make Healthy Eating Fun
Presentation is everything! For adults, a platter full of colorful fruits and vegetables is so beautiful it makes you want to dig right in. For kids, make a smiley face or cute little creature out of their fruits and veggies. There are tutorials all over the internet with clever and simple ideas for how to do this.
Hot summer days are on the way and you can easily substitute sugary ice cream bars and popsicles with frozen yogurt bars. If you make them at home, you can even add in some of your favorite chopped up or pureed fruits.
Smoothies are all mixed up into a drinkable liquid form which makes them the perfect healthy snack to sneak in a few leafy greens. You get nutrients from foods you may not necessarily enjoy on their own but the right recipe can mask that flavor with another food you do enjoy.
Schedule a Check-Up
Staying on top of doctor's office visits is important when managing your health. Be sure to schedule annual check-ups to check in with your doctor about how you are feeling and to maintain health blood pressure, weight, and other important health factors. Also schedule your dental check-ups every 6 months to make sure your teeth and mouth are staying healthy and strong. Access Dental and Dentures has the best dental clinics in southern Missouri and we are here to help you!
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