7 Surefire Ways to Curb Your Hunger
During pregnancy, you are eating for two (or maybe even more!). Many may even overeat during those nine months. But, now baby is born and you want that weight “gonzo”! You need to get used to eating just for one again.
Curbing hunger pangs can be difficult, especially when you are so used to eating a lot. When going about losing weight after pregnancy, patience is key. Many women want to lose the weight as quickly as possible but it is a better idea to lose it at a slower, gradual pace. In this article, we will discuss ways to help you curb your hunger and lose that baby weight for good!
Breakfast
Eating a healthy breakfast in the morning will start your day with the necessary fuel to get you energized as well as curb your hunger until your next meal. The best way to keep you feeling full longer is to incorporate fiber and/or lean protein into your breakfast.
If you are not much of a breakfast person, having a healthy smoothie is a good option also. Skipping breakfast will not only lead to fatigue, but also to excessive hunger later on, which could then lead to overeating the next time you eat.
Sleep
I know, as a new mom, you may not even remember the meaning of the word “sleep”, but it is best to try to get as much of it as you can. Why? Proper sleep (about 7-8 hours a day) is important for curbing hunger because we have 2 hormones, ghrelin and leptin, that keep our appetite stabilized, but in order for these hormones to function properly, we need proper amounts of sleep per day. Sleep is probably the most difficult challenge in losing weight after pregnancy!
Snacking
It is recommended that you eat approximately every 3 hours in order to keep you from getting too hungry (which can lead to overeating) and also to keep your energy levels up (which is definitely beneficial to new moms!). This is where snacks come in. When you consider a snack, of course you want to keep it a healthy snack, but it is best to combine a complex carbohydrate (i.e. fruit or vegetable) with a lean protein (for example, hard-boiled egg, handful of almonds or Greek yogurt). This will help to keep your energy levels up while keeping your blood sugar levels stabilized and keep you from overeating at your next meal. Try to choose snacks that are fiber-rich to help keep you feeling full longer.
Slow Down
Taking your time eating (which is not always possible as a new mom) can help to curb your hunger as well as losing weight after pregnancy. Remember, your stomach needs about 20 minutes to signal that it is full. If you rush through a meal, it could result in you overeating, keeping your appetite out of control.
Fiber
Stock up on fiber-rich foods! You probably know that fiber is great for helping to keep you feeling full longer which is very beneficial for controlling your appetite as well as losing baby weight. Some healthy high fiber foods include raspberries, beans, lentils, broccoli, pears (with skin) and avocados. At supper time, make sure half your plate is veggies/salad (and then 1/4 starch, 1/4 protein).
Protein
Protein helps to curb your hunger as well as keeping energy levels up. When choosing protein-rich foods, stick to lean types of protein. Some examples include nuts, salmon, chicken, lean beef, eggs, tofu and low-fat dairy products (cheese, Greek or plain yogurt, milk, etc.).
Water
Do you drink enough water on a daily basis? This is not only important with weight loss along with many other health benefits, but it will also curb hunger. Signals of thirst and hunger are very similar, so when you are feeling those hunger pangs, it might actually be water your body is needing.
Focusing on losing weight after pregnancy can be challenging because you already have a lot going on with your new little one, but try to make the time to focus on eating healthy and you will begin to shed those unwanted pregnancy pounds. Curbing your hunger pangs is an important step in achieving positive weight loss results.
