Are you stuck in the vicious grip of ‘Comforting Foods’, trying to live through these difficult times? A few weeks in the quarantine may have adversely affected our eating habits, while our mind may be fooling us, making us think it is meal time every 1-2 hours!
This stay-at-home order can really make our eating habits go bizarre, letting entry of food into our system any time of the day. Additionally, the anxiety surrounding the virus threat is making us do everything that can keep us safe, without realizing that anxiety itself could be the biggest immunity-destroyer & we might end up doing emotional eating. Being quarantined, we may be trying to contain the virus, however, we are losing control over our senses, binging mindlessly on those unwanted calories.
Yogic philosophy talks of ‘Pratyahara-The control on senses’, which can be developed mindfully by adopting certain strategic practices that help us to control unwanted binging.
Top 8 Tips on Eating Less
Take care of yourself by following these pointers to take control of your eating habits during quarantine:
1. Make Your Mornings Rich in Dense Nutrition & Fibre-Rich
Consume warm water first thing in the morning to support the body with detoxification. A glass of lemon juice can reset the entire system for the rest of the day. Breakfast rich in high-fiber content, such as a bowl of oats or porridge can go a long way in controlling craving for empty calories.
2. Binge on Water First Before Binging on Foods
Our body may confuse thirst signals with hunger. It is always a good practice to consume a glass of water before consuming food. This will help avoid the consumption of extra calories.
Also read: Navaratri Fasting Food List: 5 Delicious & Easy Upwas Food Recipes
3. Practice Intermittent Fasting
An overworked digestive system may weaken our digestive power & lead to feelings of unsatiety & uncontrolled cravings. Intermittent Fasting helps reset the system & helps us connect with our true feelings of hunger. Practiced over time, it also helps shrink the stomach size that automatically leads to controlled cravings & emotional eating overtime.
4. Eat Protein With Every Main Meal
Adding more protein to your meals adds bulk & promotes feelings of satiety, leading to controlled hunger pangs. Protein takes time to digest & keeps you full for a longer time while decreasing appetite.
Also read: Good Food and Yoga to Balance the Doshas
5. Binge on Natural Foods
If at all you ought to binge, try consuming low-calorie foods. Consume soup, salad or high fiber fruits during times of emotional hunger & gradually be mindful of your emotional patterns to deal with emotional eating.
6. Eat Slowly
The satiety hormone takes about 20 minutes to communicate the message of fullness to the brain. The trick is to eat slowly & utilize those crucial 20 minutes to chew foods well. You can save yourself from overeating & consuming unwanted calories by eating slowly.
7. Do not Compromise on Sleep
Get enough sleep to rejuvenate the body deeply & to take control of hunger. Lack of sleep may become one of the most common causes of emotional eating.
8. Lifestyle Factors
It is important to keep yourself engaged in activities that make you feel good. This is the time to cultivate hobbies & engaging mind in meaningful activities like reading, gardening, journaling or simply learning to cook. Any hobby of choice may induce the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, bringing down the stress levels drastically & helps in maintaining a state of homeostasis or internal balance, which goes a long way in controlling unnecessary eating patterns.Â