Do you ever find yourself searching through the cupboards late at night for that “something”…….you are not quite sure what it is….nor are you quite sure how you actually arrived in the cupboard, but there you are……Here are 10 tips to help you break thru late night eating!
1. Take a breath and ask yourself: Do I NEED to eat or do I WANT to eat? On a scale of 0-10, 0 = hunger, 5 = comfortable, and 10 = stuffed, ask yourself what level of hunger your body is experiencing when you are tempted to peek in the cupboards? Remember, HUNGER is your body’s PHYSIOLOGICAL NEED for food. While APPETITE is the psychological WANT or desire to eat. Before you make your selection, listen to your body’s response. Are you experiencing symptoms of HUNGER such as (hunger pangs, light headedness, headache etc.) or are you stressed, anxious or bored just desiring something to do? After you have determined your hunger gauge and determined you are dealing with APPETITE, ask yourself, “Why do I want to eat? What triggered my desire for food?” Was it seeing something on TV or smelling something in the kitchen, or a particular craving for a certain type of texture? By stopping and determining if you are HUNGRY or dealing with APPETITE will help you find an alternative experience other than food such as (taking a shower or bath, journaling, or talking about your day and your feelings) or following some of the other steps below.
2. Keep a journal: Record your feelings and your hunger gauge before eating, and if you eat, also while you’re eating, as well as after your snack for three days. This will help you identify specific emotions, triggers or patterns you may be dealing with.
Stay tuned for Part II-Coming Soon
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