Why this is the most dangerous time of the day to eat
We all know the routine of trying to eat healthy and maintain a healthy weight.
The food preparation and calorie counting.
The Tupperware containers filled with healthy meals to help you stay on track.
You do all the hard work to stay on track only for it all to come ravelling undone when you get home from work hungry and snack on everything you can get your hands on.
That’s right, arriving home from work is the most dangerous time of the day for people who are aiming to eat healthy and lose weight.
Most people feel tired, unmotivated and have low blood glucose levels once they get home from a long day.
A glass of wine or beer, some crackers and dip – and anything else we can munch on – suddenly falls into our lap.
This is why our evening food routine is just as important as the eating routine we implement throughout the day.
At night our body stores the calories we consume during the evening due to hormonal shifts and our body winding down for the night, therefore not moving as much.
Here are some tips to ensure your hard work isn’t destroyed.
1. Create good dinner habits
One of the most important things you can achieve is building positive health habits, reinforcing them so often that they become a part of your day. A way to kick post-work hunger is to replace wine with sparkling water and crackers and dip for cut up fruit and vegetables. This supports weight loss instead of encouraging weight gain and fills your tummy with nutritious snacks.
2. Know your go-to meals
Not being prepared and having no idea what to cook for dinner increases the likelihood of ordering takeaway. This means we consume even more calories than we already should be.
A good idea is to have meals prepared in advance, although we are human and are sometimes disorganised.
It would help to have two or three quick and easy meals handy, which are great for weight loss, to fall back on when you have no clue what to make.
Some options to keep in mind include salad with lamb strips, grilled chicken breast or tuna, vegetable omelette or barbeque chicken and vegetables.
3. Have a food cut-off
The majority of the damage includes sweet treats and snacks we consume while watching TVa.
Biscuits, ice cream and chocolate can quickly transform themselves from an occasional indulgence to a daily habit.
Small treats are encouraged, but overconsumption is not.
Give yourself a cut-off time of 8pm or 9pm, which stops you eating completely and controls your daily calorie intake.
4. Head for the mints
Changing the taste in your mouth can be an easy way to curb cravings.
One you finish your evening meal, brush your teeth, chew some gum, have a mint or have a cup of herbal tea.
This will signal your body that it’s completing its food consumption for the day.
5. Move around
Sitting around after eating a large meal is not good for your digestion or metabolism. The more you move around your home, even incidentally, will be helpful for weight control and encourage digestion of the meal.