Diets. Pfft. Who needs them? No one, it turns out. No one needs to be on a diet. Mainly because they’re depressing, but also because they’re not meant for long-term success.
For results that last a lifetime, you have to make changes that are sustainable. It’s all about making healthier choices with the understanding that you can still enjoy your favorite foods, just in moderation. It sounds simple enough but when it means a complete overhaul of what you normally consume, it can be a little overwhelming.
Going from eating whatever you want to being mindful of what you’re putting in your body comes with its own challenges – the one we’re going to discuss today is the feeling of being hungry.
Feeling hungry isn’t uncommon when it comes to changing your nutrition, however, it’s important to recognize if you’re actually feeling hungry or if there’s something else going on such as boredom, or the possibility of dehydration. If those have been ruled out, then there’s a good chance you may not be eating enough.
One of the first things we teach our nutrition clients is the Plate Method:
- 1/2 plate volume carbs
- 1/4 plate protein (lean meats)
- 1/4 low glycemic starches
After that, we strive for these next few goals:
- Make sure to include healthy fats with your protein and carbs
- Eat consistently (every 3 hours is ideal)
- Limit sugar intake
- Eat veggies (volume carbs) first, then protein and save the starch for the end
- Stick with water and eat your calories, don’t drink them
This is the big one: if you find that you’re still hungry, go back to the volume carbs first (non-starchy veggies). While volume carbs provide low amounts of carbohydrates per serving, they are loaded with vitamins and minerals helping you stay full and satisfied.
Contact us any time to talk more about nutrition – we’re here when you need us!
