LOS ANGELES (KABC) — If you plan to indulge this holiday season, there are strategies that could be helpful for you in the new year.
According to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll, 12% of adults said they are currently taking GLP-1 drugs, which is up 6% from May of last year.
The medications help control your appetite, but we’ve got some hacks to help you keep your cravings under control.
“People do often mask or think that they are hungry when it’s more of a craving, and there’s a big difference there,” said Rémy Leigh Peters, a registered dietitian with the Providence Family Cancer Center.
She said people often gain weight when they give in to their cravings too soon.
“Cravings go away when you get distracted, so that’s one way to kind of know, ‘Is this hunger or a craving?” said Peters.
The first thing you can do is try to clench your fist or tighten any muscle in your body.
“It kind of triggers something in your brain, like, ‘I’m in control, this is my willpower,” said Peters.
Other strategies proven to help delay and distract are watching a funny video, calling a friend or doing a puzzle. Researchers say this stimulates the brain’s reward system.
“Some people actually do well with maybe playing like a video game or something where their hands are busy, or knitting or something productive that way,” said Peters.
Another way to halt your hunger is to get moving.
It’s a myth that exercise makes you hungrier. In fact, researchers say it’s the opposite.
“I think exercising kind of gets your mind off of that hunger feeling,” said Jean-Luc Celaya, a manager at 24-Hour Fitness in San Juan Capistrano.
British scientists say aerobic activity increases production of a peptide that suppresses appetite. Experts say dehydration can trick you into feeling hungry and studies show green or black tea can help you burn fat and balance your glucose levels.
“When your blood sugar’s high, sometimes you’re feeling more hungry, so tea is great, but water, of course, is always going to be your main source of fluid,” said Peters.
And why not try a cup of kindness? Researchers find doing good deeds or focusing on forgiveness reduces stress and can help you cut down on emotional eating.
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Niko Travis is a dedicated health writer with a passion for providing clear, reliable, and research-backed information about medications and mental health. As the author behind TrazodoneSUC, Niko simplifies complex medical topics to help readers understand the benefits, uses, and potential risks of Trazodone. With a commitment to accuracy and well-being, Niko ensures that every article empowers readers to make informed decisions about their health.
