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It is a well known fact that boredom is the number one culprit to binge eating and late night snacking, so what is the impact of COVID19 on our bodies now that we are forced to be at home, working at a desk that is steps away from the junk food cupboard? Anxiety leading us straight past the veggies and right to comfort food. Are you craving Kraft Dinner, Campbell's tomato soup, and Heinz beans and wieners? Statistics Canada tracked the weekly changes to Canadian habits March and April 2020 where the highest increase in buying and eating junk food and sweets fell in the 15-49 age group at 37%.
So, what can you do to keep the scale from tipping against you?
1) Stick to a meal schedule. Eat when you get up and make sure you are spacing your meals and snacks evenly throughout the day.
2) Meal plan. If you know what you are going to eat and you prepare the food so it is visible, you are more likely to stick to a healthy diet.
3) Move your hands and mouth. If you are talking, playing games, walking, or creating something, you are less likely to be eating
4) Reduce your caffeine. When you are at home, it is much easier to overindulge in coffee and sodas that have high caffeine and sugar. Caffeine gives an energy boost, but too much caffeine will make you more irritable, create sleepless nights and it may also increase your anxiety and cause digestive issues.
5) Drink more water. If you think your are hungry, but it is not time for eating, have a glass or two of water. We often mistake hunger for thirst. A good rule of thumb is to drink 8 oz water every hour for 8 hours of the day.