10 Ways to Help You Banish Hunger by Guest Author, Michael Anthony Bradley

1. Eat little and often

Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. Avoid refined carbohydrates like white bread, rice or pasta and go for the complex carbs such as wholemeal bread or pasta and brown rice – they’re high in fibre and keep you fuller for longer. They also keep blood sugar levels balanced – dips and highs can make you want to reach for more food.

2. Count to 15

When the cravings hit, it’s hard not to think about your favourite food. However, distracting yourself with another activity for 15 minutes is often all it takes for it to subside. It’s called a pattern interrupt, creating an interruption in the pattern of behaviour that leads you to reach for the biccies. Divert yourself with a walk or a phone call to a friend.

3. Love your lolly

Try making a fruit-juice ice lolly with fresh berries inside. They’re low in calories, take longer to eat because they’re frozen, but still feel like an indulgence when you’re feeling peckish. The sugars in berries are released slowly to give you a treat that won’t leave you feeling hungry quickly afterwards.

4. Clean your teeth

Don’t reach for the chocolate, reach for your toothbrush. Cleaning your teeth when you’re feeling peckish will stop you wanting sugary treats because you won’t fancy them once you have a clean, minty mouth! It’s also another way to distract you from hunger pangs.

5. Drink a glass of water

Dehydration is a key cause of fatigue and can make you want fast-energy foods that contribute to blood sugar imbalances. If you’re feeling a bit ravenous, have a large glass of water and wait five minutes to make sure you’re not just thirsty.

6. Try a supplement

Taking the supplement chromium may help balance blood sugar levels and reduce hunger and cravings. A study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that chromium could also have a beneficial effect on weight loss.

7. Smell success

Some smells can fool the brain into thinking it’s not hungry. Not so much a waft of bacon, but rather the scent of vanilla. A study carried out at St George’s Hospital in London found that people who wore a vanilla-scented patch reduced their cravings for sweets and chocolates. Try sniffing a vanilla candle or some pot pourri to curb your food urges.

8. Don’t sit around

You get cravings when they’re sedentary – at work or in front of the TV. Go for a brisk walk outside or run up and down some stairs. Exercise releases mood-boosting endorphins (much like chocolate), so you’ll feel better and distracted from any food hankerings.

9. Breakfast like a king

Breakfast is one of the quickest meals to prepare, and skipping it plays havoc with hunger. It kick-starts your metabolism for the rest of the day and is crucial for better energy balance. A piece of fruit, muesli or porridge, or egg on wholemeal toast is ideal.

10. Go nuts!

Small snacks (like dried fruit and nuts) between meals will help stop you feeling hungry and keep your blood sugar levels constant. Eat dried fruit and nuts together, as the protein in the nuts will help steady the release of sugar from the dried fruit, to balance your hunger pangs effectively.

Remember, if you are unsure about anything mentioned above, always seek appropriate advice or talk to you doctor!

Michael writes on a variety of subjects, focusing on health related issues. You can learn more by visiting my blog, 10 ways to help you… http://10waystohelpyou.blogspot.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Anthony_Bradley

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