Six Strategies To Curb The Munchies, And Stay On Track With Your Diet

Posted on: 11 April 2017

It can be tough to stay on track with your health and wellness goals when the munchies strike. Instead of derailing your diet and undoing all your hard work, implement some strategies that may get you over the hump, and that will keep you from overindulging.

Six strategies to help you curb the munchies are:

1. Diet breath mints. Don't leave home without a pack of diet breath mints or gum in your purse, car, or pocket. These can tickle your taste buds and curb the craving for sugar, without the guilt and remorse of cheating on your diet. Look for sugar-free variations that won't cause cavities.

2. Brush your teeth. Before reaching for a snack, try brushing your teeth. A fresh mouth and clean breath can curb the temporary cravings and give you the resolve that you need to stick to your diet. Furthermore, you will be helping to keep your teeth stay their whitest!

3. Get outside. If you are sitting inside when the cravings hit, head outdoors. Focus on taking deep breaths of the fresh air, and perhaps take a brisk five or ten-minute walk until the urges pass. Sunshine also acts as a natural mood-lifter and can give you a boost of energy, too!

4. Hydrate. Sometimes when you are feeling hungry, it isn't actually hunger; could you be thirsty? Stay hydrated by drinking a big, tall glass of water when you are feeling snack-y, and add a slice of lemon or lime for a kick of Vitamin C. Drinking plenty of water will also help to make your skin look great!

5. Wait 20 minutes. The next time you are tempted to snack on something naughty or are having a craving, wait 20 minutes. This delayed gratification can curb what you are feeling and gives you time to distract yourself with something else, like surfing the web, doing laundry, or even taking a nap. If you are still experiencing the craving, make sure that you are getting enough protein and fiber at mealtime to keep you satisfied and feeling full.

6. Keep ginger on-hand. Ginger has a lot of amazing health properties; eat a piece of fresh ginger or ginger powder dissolved in a cup of hot water when hunger pains hit. Ginger can reduce feelings of hunger, as well as eliminate nausea, alleviate muscle pain, decrease inflammation, and level-out your blood sugar.  

Stay on track and stick to your diet with these six strategies to use when hunger hits. Instead of reaching for a snack or second-serving, use these tips to quell the cravings until they pass. 

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