Guilt Free Hunger Satisfaction

I always feel hungriest when I’m sitting in a car traveling. If I don’t stock up on healthy foods, you had better believe I will stop at a Trader Joe’s and purchase a bag of trail mix which won’t survive longer than an hour. It’s a problem. So I prepped for this last road trip. I steamed broccoli and bok choy, juiced kale and parsley and cucumber, diced carrots and mushrooms. The hummus was mixed, the turkey was sliced and the chicken was grilled. I was not going to give in to drive-thru coffee and mindless snacking.

One day of travel passed and I got gold stars! I felt like a hero! Then day two came around and I was dragging. I had eaten all the zucchini, squash and tomatoes (seriously, I think I cleaned out the produce at Whole Foods). Even after my afternoon green drink, I still wasn’t satisfied.

Determined to stick to the 30 Day Lifestyle Challenge, I thought about the bigger picture. I was craving the graham cookies my son was eating, but would that really make me feel better? What was more important: Eating his bunny shaped crackers or the feeling of a compliment from my physical therapist? I’ll take the compliment any day.

Stand back. Think about your goals. Will that snack/piece of cheese/mocha/gingerbread waffle get you closer to your goal? If the answer is yes, then go for it. But if your goal is to be healthier and have stronger willpower, stay strong!

Try eating some more protein. I would suggest having some lean meat. It helps fill you up and fuel your body. Remember to pair it with some watery vegetables! Make a side salad to have as an extra snack. Does that seem dull and lifeless compared to a granola bar? Try chugging some water or heading over to your local tea shop (shout out to Suttle Tea) to treat yourself. The Sisters Chai is great for digestion and helps curb cravings! Our current favorite is their new Kauai blend.

Is your mind still on food? This might be a good time to meditate, do some stretching or go for a walk. Call a friend or see how long you can hold a plank. The more you can do to take your mind off of the craving, the more you’ll realize that you weren’t really hungry!

If those suggestions still don’t help, call us! We will talk you down off the ledge. What are friends for? ;)