Junk food is food containing high levels of calories from sugar or fat and has little “nutritional value”. It primarily contains excessive fat, sugar, salt, and calories. Frequent consumption of junk increases the intake of excess fat, simple carbohydrates, and processed sugar.
Junk food cravings are very common. These cravings can become your worst enemy when you are on a Healthy Life/ weight loss journey. Junk food cravings can turn into binges and may increase the risk of weight gain/ Lifestyle Problem.
Here are some helpful tips to help curb your cravings for junk food.
Have small meals in short intervals
Eat regularly and avoid long periods of hunger. Cravings do not arise when the stomach is full. So, avoid skipping meals. The best is to start your day with a healthy breakfast and follow up with a nutritious lunch and dinner. Keep healthy snacks close at hand.
Consume more proteins
High protein diets aids in weight loss. Protein can make to feel full for longer and allow your body to consume lesser calories. Protein-rich foods will leave less space for junk and avoid experiencing cravings. Have a protein-rich meal the first thing in the day for healthy life.
Eat healthy fats
Fats do not make you fat. There are many different types of fats. Out of which, trans fats and saturated fats are considered unhealthy fats. On the contrary, heart-healthy fats help you feel full and reduce cravings.
Stay hydrated
Thirst can also lead to cravings. Drinking a glass of water when you feel like eating junk may suffice the craving, and at the same time, provide other health benefits. If plain water sounds boring, enjoy it by adding a slice of lime, lemon or cucumber.
Related read: Importance of water in our diet
Sleep well
Sleep deprivation tends to increase calories intake. Not getting enough sleep can lead to increased cravings for junk food and weight gain. Lack of sound sleep can lead to poor appetite regulation and cravings. When you have slept adequately, it becomes easier to fight cravings.
Stay away from stress
Stress influences your eating behaviour and can induce junk cravings. People, who are stressed, tend to eat significantly more calories and experience more cravings than non-stressed women/ people.
There are plenty of healthy, whole foods that can satisfy a craving for something sweet or salty. Besides, being aware of your craving and their triggers makes them much easier to avoid. It also makes it a lot easier to eat healthily and lose weight.
What is Detoxification
Full body detox or cleanse typically implies getting rid of toxins from the body to improve overall health and well-being while also promoting weight loss. Our body has its way of cleansing itself with the help of our detox organs including the liver, kidneys, lungs, gut, and skin.
When the body gets overloaded by toxins these organs get knocked out of balance. And that’s when it needs a little help in detoxing.
Why Detox?
Few symptoms tell when our body needs help in detoxification. Persistent fatigue, constipation or irregular bowel movements, inability to lose weight despite clean eating and regular exercise etc are some of the signs that indicate toxins in the body.
When you experience one or more of these symptoms regularly, it’s time to reclaim your good health by making some positive lifestyle changes and proactive health choices.
Benefits of Detoxing or Cleansing
There are a lot of health benefits associated with the body cleansing or detoxification process which is designed to eliminate toxins from your body. Here are a few of them:
- Weight loss
- Clear & Healthy Skin Health
- Improved Digestion
- High Energy Level
How to Detox?
Here is how you can optimize your body’s natural detoxification system.
- Drink more water – Water helps in digestion and nutrient absorption and detoxifies your body by removing waste products.
- Limit the intake of processed foods – By consuming less junk food, you can keep your body’s
detoxification system healthy.
- Regular exercise – Exercise can help your body’s systems — including its detoxification system
— function properly and protect against disease.
- Meditate – Meditation helps you detox your mind and enhance your ability to focus.
- Ensure adequate sleep – Sleep reorganizes and recharges the brain and body while removing toxic waste byproducts.
Summary
Your body’s body’s natural detoxification system (liver, kidneys, lungs, gut, and skin) can be enhanced and improved by following a few simple steps and bringing some positive change in the lifestyle.