Take Back Control of Your Appetite!
Do you start a diet every Monday, only to lose the battle with your endless evening hunger? You can take charge of your food choices again. Here's how to regain control of your appetite.
You'll notice that people who follow a balanced, regular eating plan don't experience extreme hunger — contrary to what you'd expect. Because of the usual “diet” mindset, this may not sound realistic, but it's genuinely how it works.
If you stick to a healthy, balanced eating plan, you won't feel hungry — because you won't let your body go hungry. In effect, you're not leaving hunger up to your body; you're reminding it when and what to eat before a physical craving even arises. Even so, when you're stressed or troubled, your body may reach for emotional hunger and look to food for the comfort it needs. It's worth being aware of this.
People who've never struggled with their weight tend to be far better at managing hunger. They snack before they get too hungry, and they stop eating when they're full. Because they manage their appetite this way, they don't think about eating when they've had enough — and they can easily say “no” to a colleague's offer of biscuits.
If you listen to your body through the day, you can manage your appetite the same way. All you need to do is eat something before you get too hungry, and do it regularly.
To reset your body, try eating your main meals 4–5 hours apart. Always have a snack between main meals — keep snacks under 200 calories and choose nutrient-rich options like nuts, yogurt, milk and fruit. That way, you can control both your appetite and your weight far more comfortably.