Conquering the Munchies During Quarantine!

It is day number [insert any random number here will do] of quarantine. The boredom is real. The kitchen is calling. But you are holding out hope for your summer bod, just in case we are indeed released from our houses any time in the near or distant future. So what do you do?! Well, I think I can be of some assistance for you! I have compiled here a list of ways to conquer mindless munching as you navigate this weird time and try to stay trim.

What do you do when you are feeling munchie? Well first of all, you have to believe that you truly are allowed to go eat an entire bag of potato chips. The easiest way to fail in this situation would be to forbid yourself to do anything, because that takes away your power and your decision making. The second something is “off limits,” the second it becomes one hundreds times more irresistible. So yes, you are definitely allowed to go pig out in the kitchen. 100%. That is a viable option. But just remember, there are other things you could also do instead, if you so choose. Things like these:

1. Go Outside

This probably wasn’t one of the first tips you’d expect to hear, but I swear this works for me nine times out of ten. There is something about the outdoors that changes your perspective. Suddenly there are a whole new handful of things to do that sound like a better idea than grabbing a handful of M&Ms.

You could go for a walk, go for a run, go on a bike ride, shoot some hoops, play catch, jump rope, hula hoop, drive to a park, find a swing, climb a tree, draw with chalk, hunt for flowers and clovers, hang up a hammock, lay out on a blanket, run through the sprinkler, walk through a creek, explore the woods behind your house, the possibilities outdoors are endless! The outdoors are a great reminder of the grandness of life. They just tend to make all of life’s little problems fade into the background and seem less important. For some reason this natural fulfilment always minimizes mindless eating for me.

2. Distract Yourself with a Hobby

Are you actually hungry? Or are you just bored? Is food really the most exciting thing in our lives? Or are there things that are like totally way cooler? Have you ever noticed that when you are hard at work on a passion project, you may forget to eat? I have!

So often we have the power to prioritize our projects and hobbies over unnecessary eating, if we just dig into something enough. Try playing an instrument, reading a book, painting or drawing, crafting, learning to sew or crochet, planting a garden, rearranging your room, writing a letter, taking and editing photos, listening to Podcasts, going on a drive, making a Youtube video, playing a video game, or watching a documentary. The more stimulating and preoccupied your brain is with interesting projects, the easier it will be to forgo mindless trips to the kitchen for boring ole, time consuming munching. Especially during Quarantine!

3. Drink Coffee or Tea

Need I say more? Coffee is a zero-calorie gift from God. The chocolatey boldness of a dark roast (or light roast if you’re a heathen) is a happiness like no other. Plus, coffee actually curbs your appetite! Not only is it a great sugar substitute, but it will physically diminish your cravings. Tea is wonderfully calming and has so many health benefits! Drink green tea for suppressing appetite, digestive support, and calming inflammation. Drink oolong tea for digestion and suppressing appetite. Drink chai or fruit teas for reminiscent desert flavors. I’m personally a huge fan of apple cinnamon tea and wild African honeybush. Try to stay away from most sweeteners, but Stevia and Erythritol are great natural sweeteners that have a zero glycemic index!

4. Chew Gum

Sometimes, we just want something to do with our mouths, and chewing gum is like a fidget spinner for your mouth. I really like Orbit Bubblemint because it is refreshing but also sweet and yummy.

5. Eat Something….Else:

What? I thought this was about curbing cravings! Not giving into them? Well, it is! But sometimes you just really want something to eat! And that is okay. So in those cases, I have compiled a list of foods you you probably have in your house that aren’t nearly as bad as real desserts, which you can view here.

And there you have it, short and sweet! I hope this list has distracted you from a trip to the kitchen long enough to provide you with a safer alternatives. And whenever you feel yourself meandering into the eating place for no good reason, just remember this little jingle I’ve written: there is no more dangerous mission than a trip to the kitchen without intention.

Thanks for reading! Keep checking back for more health and wellness blogs, coming soon and very soon! Subscribe and comment what you’d like to see a blog on next, or what you do to conquer your munchies!

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