How many times have you started and stopped a diet in the last five years? Have you ever found anything that stuck? Losing weight, unfortunately, is only half the battle. Many people who struggle with weight issues end up gaining it back. A small slip one day turns into a habit. All the work you’ve done risks going up in flames. 2020 has been a crazy year, for sure. It’s been interesting how different people have reacted to the stress of the pandemic and resulting quarantine. Facebook feeds are full of people talking about gaining weight, losing weight, and other methods of coping with anxiety and stress.
When you are feeling helpless, finding something to channel your focus and energy can be an effective distraction. What you focus on, however, will make a big difference in whether you’re better or worse off than when you began. Many people have used the quarantine and downtime to get in better shape and lose a few pounds. That’s an incredible thing to do, especially since we know that getting healthy and taking care of your nutrition is one of the best things you can do to ward off disease.
Most people who start to diet and want to lose weight have a hard time because their body has become accustomed to higher quantities of food and sugar. Once you take it away, your body screams for it, making it easy to succumb to temptation. That’s why so many diets only last a week or two. They do not make it into the following weeks where your body realizes this is the new normal and calms down.
There are things you can do to beat your hunger and stick to your diet. Here are some helpful tips to fight back hunger and stay strong when things get tough.
Drink a lot of water
Drinking large amounts of water will do wonders for your health. There are so many reasons to drink a lot of water. We are not going to list them all, but we’ll cover a few. First, drinking water before or during a meal will decrease the amount of food you eat. You will feel fuller faster without feeling like you’re starving yourself.
Water is also great for your metabolism, so your body will be better at burning through the calories you consume. It’s also great for energy levels, so it will sustain you when you are exercising, working, or just moving around. Many Americans instinctively reach for a snack when their body is really telling them that they are dehydrated. Try to drink a gallon of water a day. If it helps, add a bit of zero-calorie drink powder to add some flavor.
Understanding the power of peptides
One thing you may want to pay attention to is recent developments in peptide research. One particular peptide, NAD+, has been shown to reduce appetite and increase metabolism in tests done on mice. After the tests, the mice that took NAD+ saw an increase in lean muscle mass as well. It is a great indication of some future uses for NAD+ and what kind of results larger tests could show using the peptide. Before you buy NAD+ you should read some additional resources online.
Avoid high-calorie foods
Not all foods are created equal. The foods you choose to eat will have a huge impact on how hungry you feel. If you are eating small quantities of junk food, you’re going to feel hungry even though you’ve consumed a lot of calories. Instead, choose low-calorie foods for snacks and meals. Focus on vegetables and salads, chicken breast, and other high protein foods. Popcorn is a fantastic low-calorie snack that will fend off the hunger pangs without destroying your diet. Choose the right foods to fill you up.
Eat some ginger
Ginger’s been a favorite of the health-conscious for decades, but recently it’s been getting a lot more attention for its hunger reducing benefits. Eating a couple of teaspoons of ginger in the morning can act as an appetite suppressant throughout the day. It can help fight off cravings and keep you steady on your diet.
Buy smaller plates
The size of your dishes actually has a massive effect on how much food you eat. Americans are used to eating on huge plates and feel like they need to lay a ton of food on to make it look nice. Buy some smaller plates or eat on salad plates to create more responsible portions. You will eat just the right amount without feeling hungry after you’re done.
