Cutting Down Your Appetite

7 Ways to Avoid Food Temptations Around the House

A clean kitchen isn’t the only place you need to avoid eating unhealthy foods that sabotage your diet. It’s also critical to avoid these kinds of food temptations in the rooms and hallways of your home, especially if you have children or other family members who don’t support your healthy eating habits. To help you do this, I’ve compiled a list of 7 ways to avoid food temptations around the house below

1) Accept it

One of the worst parts about trying to diet is that you're more tempted by junk food when it's in your house. It's inevitable—even I find myself picking at a stale piece of bread just because it was left out. But there are a few simple things you can do to get past temptation and keep your diet on track: - Know what tempts you and cut it out completely. - Try having a strict routine where eating only happens in certain locations (such as your kitchen). - If you have children, be very conscious of where they hide treats or make them close up the cabinets so they don't have access. - Focus on foods that aren't tempting for you, such as lean proteins and fresh fruits. And if all else fails, set a time limit for yourself before giving in. Most importantly, remember that one day of indulgence won't hurt you too much if you stick to healthy choices the rest of the week! -Cut down on convenience foods like chips and cookies; replace with healthier options like carrots or an apple. -Create clear boundaries around highly processed items, which will reduce their availability. -Keep anything that you know tempts you away from the home. The less frequently those unhealthy items come into contact with you, the better! For example, some people report success by packing lunches and dinners ahead of time so that they never even need to open the refrigerator. Another way to avoid temptation is by setting a timer for 45 minutes and allowing yourself 45 minutes worth of treat time while still limiting how many pieces you eat during this window. Eating outside of this window should also be limited—cut out fast food stops altogether or reserve them for special occasions instead of everyday use. These small changes may seem difficult now but will soon become second nature once you get used to them!

2) Have your own version

1. Throw out anything that tempts you. If there are no cookies in your pantry, you're less likely to reach for one. Same goes for chips, drinks, or anything else that doesn't align with your goals. 

2. Make room in your refrigerator and buy smaller containers of food items, like fresh produce and yogurts- this will help you see everything inside and remember what is still good 

3. Stay away from grocery stores when hungry 

4. Plan ahead by packing snacks in your bag 

5. Keep a detailed shopping list on hand so you know exactly what items you need 

6. Substitute unhealthy options with healthier ones where possible 

7. Set realistic expectations - it won't be easy but it's possible ! You may not have chocolate cake every day for the rest of your life (though if that's your goal, go for it!), but small tweaks can add up over time. The key is to make incremental changes as opposed to all at once because you'll burn out before giving yourself enough time to change bad habits into healthy ones! Try a new vegetable dish instead of ordering takeout; pack a piece of fruit instead of grabbing something sweet. Swap out some cheese for avocado slices on toast; get hooked on unsweetened almond milk instead of juice boxes. These substitutions might seem insignificant now, but they do make an impact in the long run. And after only two weeks, any changes will show signs of improvement. Trust me: I've seen it happen again and again. There's hope out there!

3) Stock up in advance

Pack snacks ahead of time. Pack a lunch. Keep fruit in your car. Bring reusable containers with you so you can buy fresh food on-the-go and take it home with you for easy, healthy meals. Stock up on healthy essentials like quinoa, chickpeas, nuts, canned tuna fish or canned beans that you can always keep on hand for quick & easy protein options! Put them in sealable bags or containers that are easy to store and reach from anywhere in your kitchen. Make sure they’re near the front of your fridge, too—otherwise they’ll be out of sight and out of mind! And make sure they're sealed so they won't open while you're not looking. 

And don't forget about portion control: make small portions before you eat and stick to one serving sizes at mealtime. And make sure you eat slowly--it takes 20 minutes for your brain to register that you've eaten enough calories--so enjoy every bite! Drink plenty of water throughout the day, which will help fill you up and avoid overeating later. When tempted by fattening treats, replace them with some other treat that isn't as calorie dense, such as air popped popcorn (which has just 15 calories per cup) or dark chocolate (about 100 calories per square).

Exercise regularly to help release endorphins which will help improve moods and decrease cravings for unhealthy foods. Try starting with just 10 minutes a day; work your way up to 30-60 minutes daily after a few weeks! If possible, try to exercise first thing in the morning - this can boost metabolism throughout the day.

4) Don’t go back for seconds

There is a saying that goes, Don’t go back for seconds, especially when you’re hungry. However, this doesn't always hold true in today's fast-paced world. Sometimes we are so busy with life and all it has to offer that sitting down and eating a home cooked meal can be challenging. If this sounds like you, then use these tips to keep your mind off food and stop yourself from going back for seconds:

- Plan ahead - Preparing food ahead of time helps you stick to your meal plan better than making decisions on what you want during the day. Write out what you will eat for breakfast lunch and dinner each day for two weeks and include snacks in there too if necessary. You might even find new recipes online or in cookbooks that you never would have tried before! It may take some work at first but soon enough it will become second nature. Also check Healthy Diet Plan

- Get moving - Start an exercise routine, make an appointment with a personal trainer or attend a gym class near your house. Exercise not only burns calories but also releases endorphins which help improve moods and fight depression as well as boosts serotonin levels which make us less hungry! 

- Take time for yourself - Make plans with friends to do something fun outside of the house (even if it's just going shopping), make time to relax by reading a book or taking a bath or even meditating. Whatever feels good! The key is to take care of yourself so that you don't crave unhealthy foods. Do things that make you happy and healthy to combat the urge to go back for seconds around the house. Remember, you deserve to feel good and have balance in your life.

- Keep those tempting items out of sight: Put the cookies away if they are tempting you; get rid of candy bars altogether; place any chips into a closed container up high where no one can reach them. Out of sight equals out of mind. 

- Know your triggers: For me personally I know I am most tempted when I am starving and feeling stressed out. A lot of times I'll see that box of doughnuts or panini sandwich while running errands or sitting at my desk trying to finish up work and need to remind myself that they won't taste as good once I've had my snack break later on in the afternoon.

5) Use smaller plates

One way you can fight food temptations is by filling your plates with smaller portions. This allows you to feel satisfied but still keeps control of what you are eating. Another helpful tip is to pack a lunch or take out meals rather than cooking at home, this limits the amount of temptation in your own kitchen. Keep an eye on what you are buying too and make sure it isn't all things that could lure you into a tempting food moment, like chocolates or ice cream while walking down the grocery aisle. Make healthy decisions so that when you're faced with difficult choices, they're more likely to be made in favor of health. Asking yourself whether you want that cake for dinner tonight might not sound like much, but taking care of yourself now means better long-term results. The next time you are craving something sweet, try going for fruit instead! The nutrients found in fruit help fuel your body and give you the energy needed to work through those cravings. Plus if dessert time does come around, there's nothing wrong with having a small treat! Just don't let it become routine as soon as you finish one piece of fruit. Limit these treats to once per day or even once every few days. Having them less often will keep them special and allow you to enjoy them fully without regretting it later.

6) Ask yourself why you want it

1. Why does this make me feel good? I like eating sugary foods because it gives me an instant burst of energy and quiets my hunger for a short time. It feels really good right after I've eaten them, but then the high crashes, and I usually feel even more hungry. All in all, it's not a feeling that lasts very long- especially if you're eating unhealthy foods. 

2. Why am I letting myself have this now? A lot of times when we're bored or craving something sweet, we'll let ourselves indulge in our favorite snack or drink without stopping to think about why we want it. It's important to ask yourself these questions so you know how best to combat any cravings later on down the line, instead of fueling them. There are plenty of other things you can do besides reaching for some chocolate cake: • Exercise- Try taking a walk around your neighborhood or spending 20 minutes at the gym. Exercising is one of the best ways to beat food temptations because it will help release endorphins into your system, which will lower your appetite. You might also find that after working out, you don't need as much food as usual; • Take care of unfinished business- If there's something in your life that's making you feel stressed out or anxious, take care of it! The less stressed out and anxious you are during the day, the less likely you are to overeat; • Write what frustrates you down on paper- Don't try to solve anything just yet! Write down exactly what frustrates you about your current situation. Once you write it all out, start brainstorming different solutions until you find one that seems like the best option. For example, if someone is being too demanding with work deadlines, they could write down My boss has been asking me to come in early and stay late every day. Then they could brainstorm different solutions such as telling their boss they're already busy enough with their workload or giving themselves a new deadline before their next shift starts. 

The key here is to be proactive before reaching for whatever craving comes along first. No matter what happens, you'll always have control over your actions.

7) Keep busy

The easiest way to avoid temptations is to keep yourself busy. We are always told that dieting is 80% mental and 20% physical, so make sure you focus on things other than food. Clean your home or organize your pantry, kitchen or fridge in order to prevent yourself from rummaging through it. Sit with a friend, take up a hobby such as painting or crocheting, read a book or listen to music. Alternatively, you can head outdoors for an hour of exercise. Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress and ward off unhealthy temptations. If you’re feeling particularly out of control, try finding an activity that keeps your hands occupied like knitting or playing a musical instrument. It's easier to resist temptation when you have something else to do. Fill your time with activities that don't involve cooking and eating. Read a book, clean your house, go for a walk outside, paint, crochet or play music instead!