Want to reset your mindset about food? Ask yourself this question and you’ll change the way (and the why) you eat.

We know, that might sound like an odd question. And for some, the answer is obvious: “Uh, because I was hungry?”

But, how true is that really? Think back over the course of your day – or even the past week. Every time you reached for food, did you do it because you truly felt hungry?

Much of our day-to-day activities are routine, almost automatic. We eat because it’s a lunch meeting or a dinner with coworkers. We eat because we’re craving sweet/salty snacks. We eat because we’re tired, sad, mad, happy, stressed, frustrated, bored… the list could go on.

Sometimes when we eat, we don’t even taste the food on the plate…and then of a sudden, the plate is cleared. And then… we’re stuffed.

All this mindless way of eating is why we’re asking the simple question of why.

When you take the time to look at why you’re eating, you’ll begin to unload the biggest culprit of a toxic diet:

Stress eating, or emotional eating , refers to consuming food for the purpose of regulating your emotional state. These foods are commonly high in sugar and fat. Sure, they may improve our mood temporarily, but that very short-lived comfort comes at the cost of mental and physical health issues.

At Salus Nutrition, we believe small shifts in habits can lead to lasting lifestyle changes.

So, how do you stop stress eating?

Realize that this is not an overnight fix. And it’s not a simple task. But the more you think about why you’re eating, you’ll begin to identify patterns that allow you to anticipate similar situations. This will help to put yourself in a position of control.

Next time you reach for the bag of chips impulsively or you’re in the middle of stress-eating a batch of cookies (or your choice of comfort food), take a moment (five seconds, actually) to hit pause, take a breath, be present with your body’s hunger cues and determine if there are any underlying factors, like stress, at play.

You may truly be hungry – or worse, hangry (but that’s another topic) or you may realize that you don’t even want to be eating what’s in front of you.

Try not to overthink the moment (which can cause guilt, more stress and lead to more emotional eating). But, when you come across those conscious ah-ha situations, celebrate the awareness and remember that moment so you’re better prepared for the next time those cravings hit.

We realize everyone has unique situations that may play a role in why they eat. Some athletes may need to eat more for performance reasons or to support strength gains. But for most of us (athletes, too), mindless eating is just getting in the way of our goals.

Read more about mindful eating and how to reset your perspective on why you’re eating and contact Coach Angela or Coach Camilla at nutrition@salusnj.com with any questions.

Check out these healthy meal makeovers that taste good, too at https://salusnj.com/faq/where-can-i-find-approved-recipes/ 

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