Our country’s extended movement control order (MCO) has caused most people to remain at home as much as possible due to the coronavirus pandemic. And as most of us are required to work from home instead, it may lead to possible overeating due to the easy access to food (hello, kitchen cabinet and refrigerator!). Not to mention boredom can cause a person to overeat as well, and this is where we share 8 Tips On How Not To Overeat During The MCO Period.
1) Set An Eating Schedule
Just because you are working from home for the time being, doesn’t mean you should forgo your daily routine. And that routine in question refers to the way you have your breakfast, lunch and dinner. For instance, before the MCO takes place, you normally eat your breakfast at 6.30 am before you head to the office while your lunch break starts at 1 pm. Stick to the same schedule even if you are at home just like you do in the office. Otherwise, you will likely end up eating mindlessly if you ignore your eating schedule altogether.
2) Avoid Eating Straight From The Package
By package, we mean food like a bag of potato chips and a pint of ice cream in a container. Eating them straight from the package can normally lead to overeating and before you know it, you may end up finishing a whole bag of chips while binging on Netflix. So, the next time you are craving for some chips, pour them out in a bowl or a plate to help determine your portion control and have that instead. Save the rest for some other time.
3) Eat Slowly
Yes, we understand that we are living in a fast-paced world filled with expectations, deadlines and such. But when it comes to eating, there’s no point rushing your meal like it’s the end of the world. Or developing a bad habit of gobbling your food in a hurry, which might result in consuming more than you should. Instead, learn how to eat slowly and take the time to chew your food. That way it helps send a signal to your brain, which in turn, promotes the feeling of fullness in your stomach. Not to forget doing so encourages better digestion, preventing you from suffering from stomach discomfort and bloating.
4) Stay Hydrated
It’s important to ensure that your body is well-hydrated throughout the day. This is to avoid dehydration, which in turn, can cause people mistaking the feeling of thirst for hunger. And when we are dehydrated, we tend to eat more. So, make a habit to drink enough liquid (water works best since it contains 0% calories). Dislike the plain, tasteless water? Try jazzing it up with some cucumber slices or lemon wedges.
5) Minimise Your Stress Level
Did you know that stress can lead to overeating? Which is why it’s important to manage your stress regardless of work, study or even your personal life. Here’s how it happens: When you feel stressed, it causes the cortisol in the body to spike and increases your appetite. Not only will you start to overeat but also increase the chance of craving for unhealthy food that are fatty or sugary. So, try looking for effective ways to reduce your daily stress levels such as practising yoga or listening to soothing music.
6) Eat Regularly
Those who are looking to lose some weight tend to figure that skipping meals is a logical solution. But doing so actually leads to overeating when you start to feel hungry later. That’s why it’s best to eat your food on a regular basis. For instance, try not to skip breakfast (there’s a reason why it’s called the most important meal of the day), even you are working from home during the MCO period.
7) Consume Fibre-Rich Foods
If you want to prevent overeating, look for food that are packed with fibre. This includes the likes of beans, nuts, whole fruits, oats and vegetables. Eating fibre-rich foods can make you feel full for longer, which in turn, helps to prevent overeating.
8) Avoid Distractions
Ask yourself this question: Do you often look at your smartphone while eating your lunch? If you do, you may end up consuming more food than you should. The same reason goes to those who love to eat while watching TV or working in front of the laptop. So, the best thing you can do is limit or avoid these common distractions completely and focus on your mealtime instead.
