Quash Mindless Snacking and Overeating during Self- Quarantine

Being cooped up at home for weeks or months as the world responds to the corona virus outbreak may force you to develop cravings for your favorite cheat meals a bit more than you’d like. 

It looks inevitable to maintain weight during a change to our normal routines. While boredom- or stress-related eating is tempting – and lots of us are closer to the fridge these days it’s also an opportunity to develop healthier habits.

So, how can we fix the issue of overeating so we don’t fall victim to all the negative health consequences that can follow? Here are a few ways to get started:

1. Create an eating pattern where you have a meal or snack about every three hours. This can help prevent mindless snacking.
2. Keep a food book – tracking the time of day, the food and the amount – to hold yourself accountable. Or you could have your partner or ‘rommie’ hold you accountable
3. Limit snacking of highly processed foods such as chips and cookies. If you don’t buy it, you can’t eat it.
4. Portion out your snacks. Place cheese and crackers, for example, in individual bags to prevent overeating.
5. Drink at least 2 liters of water each day to stay hydrated and keep your body’s systems functioning normally; consider adding things like cucumber or ginger. Avoid sugary beverages.
6. Practice mindful eating. Ask yourself, “Why am I reaching for this?” or “Has it been three hours since my last meal or snack?”
7. Stay active. Do yoga, walk up and down the stairs, stream a workout online or dust off items and keep busy.
8. Call or Video call a friend or family member to talk about your emotions. Getting your feelings out can help curb emotional eating.
9. Buy food that comes from the earth – fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and lean protein.

We’re all trying to create a new normal in the midst of a very weird situation, quitting overeating in quarantine and taking charge of your health is about making a mental shift. Cut yourself some slack, it’s not about being perfect than you were before but aiming to do a little better than yesterday and taking one day at time.