Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
I'm Sharon Richter, a Registered Dietitian.
I have a question for you. Do you like to nibble while:
-watching TV
-reading the paper
-talking on the phone
-checking email
-walking down the street
-driving your car?
If you answered "yes" to some or all of these, then it's time to consider whether
you might be a mindless eater. You might have accidentally trained your body to trigger
false hunger pangs while doing these everyday activities, many of which can be done back-to-back.
So there's a chance you might be chowing down All. Day. Long.
The worst part is, when you're not paying attention to what or how much you're eating,
it's easy to lose track of the hand-to-mouth action. You're likely to take in extra,
unneeded calories without even knowing it.
To make sure you're not eating on autopilot, follow these smart strategies:
- Ask yourself, "Am I really hungry...or am I just stressed, bored or looking for a
reward?" Step away from the vending machine if the answer is NOT a growling stomach.
- If you're snacking between meals, choose small portions of low-calorie, unprocessed
foods, like fruits or vegetables rather than high-processed foods that could make you feel
sluggish and gain weight.
- Don't multi-task while grazing OR eating a meal. You may enjoy your food more and feel
fuller faster.
- Eat each meal at the same time daily. In no time, your body will expect food at those
times only and not in between or while doing something else.
- And, finally... get chatty at social lunches and dinners. Better to have a mouthful of
words than a mouthful of chips!