10 ways to beat comfort eating.....

As we all know, many people comfort eat!  If you are feeling down, had a bad day, if its dark and gloomy outside, had an argument with someone or generally just feeling a bit down, then this can lead to comfort eating.  You snack on the chocolate, carbs etc and it may momentarily make you feel better but in the long run you will probably regret having that extra bar of chocolate or that second helping of dinner!  If this sounds like you, then read on......

This is our 10 step plan to help beat comfort eating.......

1.  Balance out your blood sugar levels by EATING LITTLE AND OFTEN.  If your blood sugar levels are up and down, this can make you crave sugary food which will then lead to comfort eating. Another way to help balance out your blood sugar levels is by taking Green Coffee Bean capsules.

2. Low Vitamin D levels can make your body crave more food and can also be linked with depression.  Try to BOOST YOUR VITAMIN D levels in the winter by eating more eggs, fish and dairy foods.  Vitamin D also comes from the sunlight - so if you can get away on the odd holiday, this is bound to help :-)

3. EXERCISE - a good old cardio session will release "feel good" endorphins that will reduce your desire to comfort eat!  So get on that bike, put on your running shoes and get outside! (if you can exercise outside - even better as this will increase your vitamin D levels too!)

4. Take a HERBAL SUPPLEMENT containing 5HTP.  This will boost your serotonin levels which are linked to low moods and comfort eating.  The 5HTP releases the "happy hormone" that is produced in the brain and enhances the feeling of well being. Try our LotusBright - the natural happy pill - this contains 5HTP along with other great supplements.

5. Eat lots of ESSENTIAL FATS to help support brain function and hormone action.  These essential fats can be found in oily fish (especially salmon, mackerel and sardines), olive oil, nuts and seeds.  

6. SOCIALISE - It is so easy to sit on the sofa and curl up in your onesie, especially when the weather is bad - this then tends to lead to grabbing a box of chocolate and scoffing the lot!  Research has shown that being part of a social network can improve your self-esteem and mood which then will reduce the comfort eating.

7. BOOST SEROTONIN LEVELS naturally by eating food rich in "tryptophan"  such as turkey, chicken, low-fat yoghurt, cheese and eggs.  This will release the happy hormone from the brain.  You can also try Garcinia Cambogia skinny pills - this is a fruit based pill that boosts serotonin levels and helps to stop comfort eating.

8. Get yourself OUTSIDE!  Even if its a horrible gloomy day, being outside for a small amount of time can increase your vitamin D levels. So, have a walk to the shop in your lunch break, or walk to work instead of taking the car - this extra bit of exercise will also do you good!

9. Look into getting a SAD lamp.  In the winter months you miss out on the sunlight and it definitely lowers your mood.  So a SAD lamp wakes you up in the morning just like natural sunlight would do.  This is meant to greatly improve your moods so therefore you won't turn to food.

10.  Write a "GRATITUDE" list.  Throughout the day, if something makes you smile, then make a note of it.  It could be something very simple like a nice text from a friend or a lovely scene on your drive home from work.  When it gets to the evening, sit down and read your list and it will make you smile and think of the happy things that happened in your day.