HALT!

The munchies. That’s what we call it when we just NEED to eat. Sometimes it’s for a particular food, and sometimes we just mindlessly consume whatever is in front of us at the time. How do we gain control? By HALTing. I’m holistic nutritionist Wendy Corr, and in today’s Wellness Tip, I’ll show you how you can employ the HALT method to control cravings.

We all know the feeling. Standing in front of the refrigerator or the kitchen cupboard, knowing that we want to eat something, ANYTHING… so we grab the chips or the peanut butter or the ice cream, and within minutes, we regret our decision because we just can’t stop eating!

How do we put the brakes on the munchies? By using a simple acronym to bring sanity back to the moment. It’s called the HALT method – and it helps us identify WHY we’re reaching for something to snack on at a time that’s outside regular meals.

First, H. Are you HUNGRY? As in, legitimately hungry. When was the last time you ate? If you’re truly hungry, make sure you have something nutritious handy! Set yourself up for success by chopping veggies or having fruit or nuts to grab when you need a quick snack.

Then there’s A, which stands for ANGRY. This could mean any sort of emotional stress that causes us to reach for food to smooth things over. The thing is, sugar and other processed foods do temporarily light your brain up, just like a drug! But this is a temporary reward, and will lead to an emotional or physical crash later. If you figure out the source of your anxiety, you may be able to create a calming ritual, like sitting quietly for five minutes, going for a walk, gardening, or journaling.

L stands for LONELY. If you tend to turn to eating in moments when you feel isolated, remind yourself of this – when it’s unhealthy or you overindulge, you feel worse, not better. Consider making a phone date with a friend as a regular part of your evening, or join a social group that’s not centered around food.

And then there’s T – are you TIRED? Sleep-deprived people take in an extra 300-550 calories per day! If you really need something to help hop you up, try some coffee or green tea.

Thanks for tuning in to Wellness with Wendy! I’m a certified holistic nutritionist, a mom, an entertainer and a radio personality – so finding balance is the key to my life. I love sharing tips and tricks to help you live your best life – so for more health and wellness news and advice, follow my blog on mybighornbasin.com. See you again next time for Wellness with Wendy!