5 Steps To Overcoming Stress Snacking
With many of us working from home now, the lines between work life and home life have become very very blurred.
Without a commute, a structured weekday can feel like one endless day, punctuated with bursts of non-work related activities.
With a new “work-life normal,” you may find yourself seeking out snacks more frequently. Some of us snack to satisfy hunger while others snack to cope with stress. With the kitchen now steps away, it’s never been easier to grab a handful of whatever as you walk by or take a client call. The foods that hang out on your kitchen counter and what’s in the front of your fridge are likely what you’ll end up eating first, for better or worse
It’s not a secret that snacking can put a stop to your weight loss progress. More snacks = more calories = weight gain, right? Yes, if you’re chomping on chips, cookies, and cheese all day. Shifting your surroundings to include healthier foods within reach can support your weight loss progress. You don’t need to go snack-free to see results.
Having quick and easy options that you like - not ones you feel like you *should* eat - is key. Sustainable weight loss only works when we’re keeping things realistic. Celery is great but if you don’t like it, it won’t work!
Here are five steps for how to set yourself up for snacking success.
I: Do a deep clean
Start with your countertop and then move to the fridge, freezer, and pantry. Throw away any random bits of food, junk food that you’d like to limit, and condiments that you never use. If the dressing you bought says “skinny” and you hate it, throw it out! The goal is to start with a clean space, fresh and free from distraction.
II: Invest in clear containers
Our eyes are drawn to bright, attractive-looking foods that are easy to eat. Old plastic tupperware, opaque containers, or unappealing packaging can deter you from reaching for the nutritious snacks that lie within. Get rid of them or reuse them for another non-food purpose. Hop online and order several clear glass containers of varying sizes. These will keep your snacks fresh and fun as you start to rebuild your new environment.
III: Dare to dip it
”Eat more veggies” goes from no fun to fun through dips! Choose a dip like hummus or guac to pair with your raw veggies. Store a dip-de-jour alongside your favorite crunchy veggies to make it super fast for you to dip-and-dash. I buy several different kinds of hummus each week to add variety. Remember to look for low-salt options and you can also, obviously, DIY a dip if you feel so inclined.
Pro tip: Blended silken tofu makes an excellent spinach and artichoke dip base. Extra creamy, low fat, and protein-rich. A must-try for my plant-based babes looking to lose weight.
IV: Clear you counters
If you must have potato chips in the house, store them in a far and distant corner of your pantry. Studies suggest that we eat what we see, especially when we’re running on empty. I’m not suggesting that you should not treat yourself. Make that treat harder to obtain by creating mini barriers for yourself.
Pro tip: Make treating yourself into a trip. Walking or driving to the store extends the time it takes to satisfy that craving, helping to bring more awareness and attention to satisfying that sweet tooth.
V: Keep single-serving snacks on hand
Single-serving snacks are an effective tool to help with portion control. With mindless snacking, it can be easy to polish off an entire bag of chips or candy in one sitting. Knowing your portions is key for sustainable weight loss progress. Single servings take the guesswork out and act as mini barriers to continuous kitchen grazing.
Pro tip: Make your own single-serving snacks by portioning out large bags of popcorn, roasted edamame, and raw nuts into small containers.
Final thoughts:
Trying to lose weight is challenging enough. The sheer volume of daily food-based decisions can be overwhelming. Reducing the number of these decisions streamlines the process, thereby reducing stress associated with “what am I going to eat today?” Your space and home environment is now more important than ever. So, start fresh and make it work for you and your health.
How are you creating a healthy home environment? Comment below
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I help busy women working in consulting transform their approach to weight loss, empowering them to feel confident and in control.