The Hunger Game

We've all been there: It's a three o'clock in the afternoon. You've finally had a chance to sit down and relax. And, it hits you-that feeling that you absolutely have to eat something. Is it hunger, or is it a craving? Sounds like a simple question, but the truth is, most of us have forgotten how to listen to our bodies and to eat in response to true, biological hunger. Consequently, we end up eating for the wrong reasons and eating more than we should.


Identifying and controlling hunger
As infants, we were born with the innate ability to eat when we were hungry, and stop when we were full. However, as we grow up, we tend to lose that innate sense and eat in response to environmental triggers. For example, we learn sometimes it's better to eat everything on the plate instead of struggle with mom or dad. Or, that's it's better to suffer through a plate of broccoli so we can have dessert. We learn to eat because food smells good, its "lunch time," or because we are bored. Bottom line: we learn to ignore our own body signals and eat whether we are truly hungry or not.


So, do you know what your biological signals for hunger are? Is it a mild stomach growling? An empty feeling inside? Or is it something else?

If you take the time to identify what your body's first signs of hunger are, and then track whether or not you are eating in response to true hunger and stopping when you are comfortable, you can relearn your body's biological signs of hunger and eat more appropriately.


Here are some tips to help you control hunger so it doesn't control you:

• Eat foods that are high in protein and fiber. Besides helping you stay full, these offer a variety of other health benefits. Protein helps provide the amino acids to build and maintain your muscle, while fiber helps keep your blood sugar levels steady and helps promote healthy digestion.
• Eat smaller, but frequent meals. This will help prevent overeating and burn calories more efficiently. If you pay attention to your true signs of hunger and satiety you'll eat every couple of hours but still keep your total calorie intake where it needs to be to lose weight.
  

• Drink adequate amounts of water throughout the day. Every one is different but shoot for about 8- 8 oz.glasses a day.
• In between meals, feel free to snack on 1-2 servings of low-calorie vegetables such as snap peas, mushrooms, baby carrots, zucchini and cherry tomatoes.
  

Hungry, Or Just Thirsty?



Sometimes we mistake thirst for hunger. Before you head to the fridge or the pantry, take the water test. Drink a glass of water and wait 15 minutes. You may discover that you weren't really hungry, just thirsty.

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These Health Tips and many others are provided as part of the Shaklee 180 program. For more health tips, participate in your own 180 transformation. Our growing team of “losers” is shrinking!

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