Most diet plans require you to consume smaller portions, which then leave you feeling hungry and deprived throughout the course of the day. As a result, it’s common to end up snacking and straying from the diet plan. The next time you feel this way, try these methods
Water. You should be drinking plenty of water anyway whilst dieting, as your body requires it to flush waste from itself. However, specifically filling your stomach with water when you’re feeling hungry is known to help stave off hunger pains temporarily.
Do some light exercise. While this doesn’t actually kill your hunger off, it acts as a mental diversion and stops you thinking only about your stomach. This works especially well during the initial stages of a diet as your body adapts to the reduced intake of calories. Even a slow paced walk can be enough to distract yourself from the thought of food.
Activities. Using the same theory that applies to exercising, finding an activity to do will distract your mind from thinking about food. You’ll need to do something that requires you to think, so listening to music or watching TV won’t work. Writing a letter or email, drawing or playing a game are best.
Find something to chew on. A great way to temporarily silence your urge you to eat is to chew on sugar-free gum. You can trick your stomach into thinking you’re eating by simply chewing on something. Raw vegetables, nuts, or other low-calorie snacks are alternative options if sugar-free gum is having the desired effect.
However, please remember that these ideas are only meant to see you through feeling hungry until your next meal. They aren’t a diet plan in themselves. If you deny yourself of food altogether then you’re doing yourself more harm than good.
