Junk food is food that has low nutritional value and contains small quantities of dietary fiber, protein, vitamins, or minerals, and high amounts of calories from sugar or fat. Cravings for junk food occur due to a number of different reasons. Some of these include an improper sleep cycle, sleep deprivation, stress, low energy levels, celebratory mood, or genetics. Such reasons make our bodies crave unhealthy foods rich in sugar and fat.
A high intake of junk food can lead to many health issues including obesity, malnourishment, diseases due to dietary deficiencies etc. However, simple tips can help put a curb to excessive junk food cravings and improve your overall health. However, if you have any sort of reservations about your diet or have any nutritional concerns, please consult a top nutritionist in Karachi or your city.
Here are some of the tips to follow for resisting those unhealthy cravings and maintaining a healthier lifestyle:
- Get adequate sleep:
Not getting enough sleep is one of the primary causes for junk food cravings. Research suggests that sleep deprivation results in an imbalance of appetite hormones and leads to cravings. Studies have shown that the chances of obesity become 55% higher for people who are sleep deprived. Hence getting more sleep and regularizing your sleep cycle can surely reduce cravings for unhealthy food. - Drink more water:
Drinking water before meals has proven to help with weight loss as well as reduce appetite, especially among middle-aged or older people. Moreover, sometimes your body may confuse thirst with food cravings. Drinking water may help reduce junk food cravings.
- Combat stress:
Stress can lead to binge eating of unhealthy foods. As a form of coping mechanism, your boy tends to crave junk when stressed out. Therefore it is important that you try reducing the stress levels in your life. This can be done in a number of ways some of which include, mediation, taking deep breadths, running, exercising, or engaging in healthy activities such as reading, writing, playing an instrument etc. - Distract your mind:
When craving junk food, distracting your thoughts can help get rid of them. This can be done my thinking about something else or indulging in another activity such as walking. Chewing gum is also an effective method used by many to curb their food cravings.
- Schedule your meals:
Planning your meals on a daily or weekly basis helps reduce your chances of resorting to unhealthy food. If you know what you’re going to eat, resisting the urge to have junk food is easier. Moreover, this way you can add healthy alternatives such as fruits or vegetables for snacks, instead of going for packaged chips or French fries.
Incorporating theses simple tips in your dietary habits can help reduce your cravings for junk food. However, if you feel you are unable to control these cravings, book an appointment today with the top nutritionist in Lahore or your area of residence.
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