Is your voracious appetite a cause for worry? Get to the bottom of your unhealthy cravings and bring back the balance, with these tips.
As children, you probably learned about the importance of a balanced diet. You may have even followed the rules of healthy eating for ages.
But at some point, something went amiss. Maybe you began binging on sugar, or eating too much bread. Whatever the reasons, your appetite went astray.
How an occasional cheat meal turns into a habit
Resisting that donut or packet of potato chips was a real challenge. Over time, your habit was ingrained. You found yourself unable to eat healthy, repeatedly. You began craving foods that were bad for you, all too often.
What, you may wonder, really happened?
The first thing you should know, is that research shows that certain foods drive us to overeat. The second is thatyour hormones and emotional circumstances also push your body and brain to throw out fake hunger signals. When this happens, you eat more than you need, or binge on unhealthy foods.
Tips on how to deal with an out of control appetite
#1 Know your appetite
Hunger is normally a good indicator of health. If you need to eat a few times a day and are satisfied by balanced meals of regular portions, you have nothing to worry about.
It’s also okay to feel hungrier on some days, than others. If this resolves itself over a few days, it is probably because of some changes in your routine or the inner workings of your body. But if your unusual appetite persists, then do get to the bottom of it.
Abnormal appetite can indicate illness, in which case other symptoms will find you at the doctor’s soon enough. However, irregular hunger patterns that persist over time are generally due to ill-health. Or maybe your lifestyle has something to do with it?
Reasons for continual hunger
- Strong negative emotions – These can lead to a troubled relationship with food. A person may eat more or less than they need, due to anxiety or sadness. They may crave sweets or fried foods as a form of comfort during bleak times.
- Extreme diets – It is well-known that such eating patterns lead to binge eating as the body tries to make up for the suppressed hunger and nutritional shortfall.
- Hormonal imbalances – A dip in the hormone serotonin can lead to increased hunger. This can happen when you are depressed, or in the latter half of the menstrual cycle if you are a woman. Such issues can be set right with some guidance from the right professionals, and a few healthy eating habits.
#2 Eat nutritious meals at regular intervals
Your diet determines more than your weight and appearance. You already know it is pivotal to your health. It can also help stabilize your moods and hormones.
The basic rule is to eat healthy meals at regular intervals. Your main meals should comprise complex carbohydrates that break down slowly; proteins that will sustain your energy levels and some fatty foods like nuts and cheese that will give you healthy calories.
Fruit and vegetables help restore balance
Daily fruit and vegetables like apples, carrots, cabbage, and pomegranate that are normally a part of our meals, can also help regulate our hormones.
Many of these foods which fall into the “healthy” category, are also high in fibre, which help maintain gut health and keep us full for longer periods.
Some foods like avocado and banana are known to lift your mood. So do follow everyone’s advice and eat five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables. There’s every chance that your cravings will diminish.