In an ideal world, you should be craving apples, berries, and green vegetables as they are low in calories and full of nutrients. But unfortunately, that’s not how it works. Instead, you find yourself reaching out for a portion of pizza, chocolate, ice cream, and all things sinful, every now and then. Don’t need to hide your face; we all have gone through such uncontrolled cravings at some point in life. In such a situation, you just have two ways out – either give in to your cravings or fight them back. We feel it is perfectly okay to allow yourselves a treat at times, but when the cravings turn into a bingeing problem, you might run the risk of gaining weight, diabetes, and other lifestyle diseases. Hence, experts suggest nipping it in the bud and preventing the cravings from turning into an addiction. Brace yourself; we bring you some life hacks to deal with junk food addiction and bingeing problems. Read on.
Also Read: 5 Foods That Are Not As Unhealthy As You May Have Thought
What Makes Junk And Processed Foods So Addictive?
Does a packet of chips or candies uplift your mood instantly? Believe it or not, that’s exactly what some food manufacturers aim at – they look to ignite the cycle of addiction in the customers. Processed food contains sugar and fats that instantly trigger the ‘reward zone’ in our brain and release dopamine to make us feel good, leading to junk food addiction. And reportedly, manufacturers spend months looking for that trigger point to get you addicted to these decadent delicacies.
Also Read: Fast Food Vs. Junk Food: What’s The Difference? Which Is Worse For Health?
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5 Ways To Deal With Junk Food Addiction:
1. Identify your trigger food:
Not everyone is addicted to the same kind of junk food – some like soda, some relish samosas, while some feel good seeing a packet of chocolate in front. You need to identify your trigger food and control its portion mindfully.
2. Keep yourself well hydrated:
Lack of water often creates a sodium imbalance in the body, leading to cravings for sodium or sugar-enriched foods. Hence, it is always suggested to keep up the fluid level in the body to avoid unwanted cravings.
3. Never stay hungry:
Hunger makes you reach out for quick foods, which most of the time, are the processed and ready-to-eat ones. Eating wholesome meals at regular intervals helps you stay full for long and fight those unwanted cravings.
4. Be mindful while eating:
It is important for all to differentiate between cravings and hunger. While hunger is a physiological phenomenon, craving is mostly a state of mind. Understanding what exactly you are going through helps you stay controlled and reach out for healthier food options to satiate yourselves.
5. Plan your snacks beforehand:
This is where most of us go wrong. We plan our breakfast, lunch, and dinner beforehand and skip considering those mid-meal hunger pangs. Having some healthy snacks handy helps you avoid reaching out for calorific, easily available foods, further preventing the bingeing problem. Click here for some healthy snack options you can try.
Follow these amazing hacks and enjoy your favorite junk food in a controlled portion without getting addicted!
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