5 Ways to Say No to Munching and Crunching

We've all had those awful cravings for a crunchy, salty snack, or worse - desserts. Here are some ways to reduce snacking to none or at least keep it to a minimum.

Eat breakfast: Everybody says it - eat breakfast. It's the most important meal of the day! After sleeping for eight hours, your body is in shock and your blood sugars are low. In an ideal world, you could eat anything for breakfast (yes, anything), because your metabolism is shocked and will quickly metabolize whatever you decide to eat first thing in the morning. This doesn't mean pizza or cake, though. We're trying to be healthy here. Some of the best breakfast power foods include: old-fashioned oats, scrambled tofu or eggs (add in peppers and tomatoes for a burst of healthy flavour), yoghurt and granola, protein shake, nuts, and fruits. Even if it is something small, make sure to eat something in the morning! You'll feel much better and be less likely to get that mid-morning snack urge.

Eat meals routinely: This is one of the best tips for weight maintenance and even weight loss.

• Breakfast should be eaten about thirty minutes after waking, ideally around 8:00 am. (Ideal breakfast foods listed above.)
• Lunch should be eaten about three or four hours after breakfast, ideally around 12:00 pm. (Protein, complex carbs, good fats, and fiber.)
• A late-afternoon snack is okay, when it's something like fruit salad, a smoothie, nuts, or yoghurt. Ideally, this should be had around 3:00 pm.
• Dinner should be eaten about two to three hours after a late-afternoon snack, ideally around 6:00 pm. Dinner should consist of foods similar to lunch foods (brown rice, nuts, healthy pasta, fruits, and vegetables).
• A late-night snack is also okay, when it has a low amount of calories and is high in nutrients. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the best options, along with water and organic juice. Ideally, a late-night snack should be had around 9:00 pm or an hour before you go to bed.

Eating around the same time every day gets your body into a routine - it doesn't leave your metabolism wondering when the next meal is coming.

Drink water: While water doesn't fill you up quite like a snack might, it keeps you hydrated and a little less likely to snack. Drink at least eight 8oz glasses of water per day.

Brush your teeth: If you find yourself in the midst of a tempting craving, brush your teeth. The after-feeling will lessen your craving and make you not want to ruin your minty fresh breath.

Pay attention to your cravings: It's been proven that when you crave one thing, you don't actually need that particular food item - your body's telling you that you need something else. Next time you find yourself craving something salty or sweet, check out this helpful chart from NaturopathyWorks. It tells you what you really need if you're craving a certain food, and gives suggestions of foods that contain the thing you really need.