Holiday Overindulgence: Simple Hacks to Help You Stay in Control of Your Cravings
The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the temptation to overindulge in sweet treats and rich delights. However, this can lead to weight gain, bloating, and a host of other health problems down the line. According to a recent poll conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 12% of adults are currently taking GLP-1 medications to control their appetite, with numbers increasing by 6% from last May.
But before reaching for that extra slice of pie or box of cookies, try these simple strategies to keep your cravings in check. "People often mask or think they're hungry when it's more of a craving," notes Rémy Leigh Peters, a registered dietitian at the Providence Family Cancer Center. "Cravings can be subtle and sneaky, so being aware of what triggers them is key."
One effective way to differentiate between hunger and cravings is to engage in physical activity. Research suggests that exercise doesn't make you hungrier; rather, it suppresses appetite by increasing the production of a peptide that regulates hunger hormones.
Another hack is to get your mind off your hunger pangs with distractions like watching a funny video, calling a friend, or working on a puzzle. "Stimulating the brain's reward system can help delay cravings and reduce emotional eating," says Peters. Some people find that engaging in creative activities like knitting or playing video games helps keep their hands occupied and reduces temptation.
And then there's the power of hydration. Dehydration can trick you into feeling hungry, while drinking green or black tea has been shown to aid in fat burning and glucose balance. "When your blood sugar is high, sometimes you're feeling more hungry," explains Peters. "But water, of course, is always your main source of fluid."
Finally, researchers suggest that focusing on forgiveness and doing good deeds can reduce stress and help curb emotional eating. By incorporating kindness into our holiday season, we can take a more holistic approach to managing our cravings.
So this holiday season, remember that it's okay to indulge in moderation. Try these simple hacks to keep your cravings under control, and prioritize your health – both now and in the new year.
The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the temptation to overindulge in sweet treats and rich delights. However, this can lead to weight gain, bloating, and a host of other health problems down the line. According to a recent poll conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 12% of adults are currently taking GLP-1 medications to control their appetite, with numbers increasing by 6% from last May.
But before reaching for that extra slice of pie or box of cookies, try these simple strategies to keep your cravings in check. "People often mask or think they're hungry when it's more of a craving," notes Rémy Leigh Peters, a registered dietitian at the Providence Family Cancer Center. "Cravings can be subtle and sneaky, so being aware of what triggers them is key."
One effective way to differentiate between hunger and cravings is to engage in physical activity. Research suggests that exercise doesn't make you hungrier; rather, it suppresses appetite by increasing the production of a peptide that regulates hunger hormones.
Another hack is to get your mind off your hunger pangs with distractions like watching a funny video, calling a friend, or working on a puzzle. "Stimulating the brain's reward system can help delay cravings and reduce emotional eating," says Peters. Some people find that engaging in creative activities like knitting or playing video games helps keep their hands occupied and reduces temptation.
And then there's the power of hydration. Dehydration can trick you into feeling hungry, while drinking green or black tea has been shown to aid in fat burning and glucose balance. "When your blood sugar is high, sometimes you're feeling more hungry," explains Peters. "But water, of course, is always your main source of fluid."
Finally, researchers suggest that focusing on forgiveness and doing good deeds can reduce stress and help curb emotional eating. By incorporating kindness into our holiday season, we can take a more holistic approach to managing our cravings.
So this holiday season, remember that it's okay to indulge in moderation. Try these simple hacks to keep your cravings under control, and prioritize your health – both now and in the new year.
. I mean, who doesn't love a good cookie or two (or ten)? But seriously, it's so easy to get sucked into the vortex of overindulgence, especially when social media is flooded with pics of holiday feasts and festive treats.
. That's just not healthy, you know? It's like our bodies are already on high alert, trying to stay in check. So yeah, I'm all for finding ways to curb those cravings and not letting them take over.
. Is it boredom, stress, or something else? Once I figure out what that is, I can try to tackle the root cause rather than just reaching for a snack. And you know what they say: hydration is key 
. Drinking water instead of soda or juice makes all the difference.
. Engaging in creative activities like knitting or playing video games can be super helpful in distracting yourself from those pesky cravings. Not to mention, focusing on forgiveness and doing good deeds for others can really help curb emotional eating 
. It's all about finding that balance, you know?
u guys are literally gonna overeat themselves into a coma just because of halloween candy? idk if i can even blame them tho... those Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs are LIFE.CHANGING 
what do u guys think about these simple hacks?
I totally agree with the article that we need to know when we're really hungry and when we're just craving something. For me, watching a funny vid or playing a game is a lifesaver - gets my mind off snacking and keeps my hands occupied 
.
. And yeah, forgiveness and doing good deeds for others is a great way to reduce stress and not overindulge. It's all about balance, you know? 
Moderation is key this holiday season - let's all try to stay in control of our cravings and enjoy the festive vibes without ruining our health 
️
. and what's with all these "simple hacks" that sound like they came straight from a wellness brochure? where's the hard science behind these claims? need some real evidence before i start following these tips 
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ugh, holiday food is like, soooo tempting 
anyway, hydration is key, drinking water before reaching for that cookie is like, the best hack ever 
and exercise, duh, it's like, your body says no to food when you're moving around, not just sitting on the couch watching Netflix all day 
. i think its so cool that theyre finding ways 2 manage our cravings like exercising n stuff can actually help us feel less hungry lol 
. but seriously, focusing on kindness n self care during the holidays can make such a big difference in how we feel about food n ourselves 
. let's all try 2 be a little more mindful of our snacking habits this season, k? 
. I've been trying to stay hydrated with lots of water and green tea 
️, and it really helps me not feel as hungry all the time. And honestly, who needs exercise when you're stressed out like everyone else at holiday parties 
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. Exercise, distractions, and staying hydrated are all great tips, though! 
... but seriously, who can resist a good slice of pie or some festive treats? 
And I love the idea of distractions like watching funny vids or playing puzzles - it's all about taking your mind off that extra slice (or three) 
Hydration is key too, imo. Like, if you're dehydrated, you'll be hangrier than a bear in winter 
... but drinking some water and green tea can totally curb those cravings! 
So yeah, let's all just try to be kinder to ourselves (and our waistlines) this holiday season 
anyway back in my day we didn't have all these fancy food hacks but we still managed to enjoy the season without overdoing it i think the key is to be mindful of your cravings and not let them control you like when my grandma used to make those amazing cookies for christmas she'd always say "just one" but we knew that meant more than one 
and exercise was also a big part of our holiday routine whether it was ice skating or going for a winter hike