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What Are Bad Reasons for Snacking?

There are different reasons why people reach for snacks and many of them have nothing to do with satisfying hunger. Snacks are readily available and most of them don't need a lot of preparation. Snacking too often can result in weight gain. Before eating ice cream, cookies or chips, identify the reasons why you are reaching for these foods.

  1. Emotional Hunger

    • When you are happy, sad, frustrated or angry, it can trigger you to start snacking. Often unhealthy foods are the preferred nourishment. WebMD states that emotional eating often occurs when you seek comfort or try to fill a void. You may eat certain foods to make you feel better. Chocolate, for instance, contains the neurotransmitter serotonin, which improves your mood. It also stimulates the release of endorphins, giving you a high feeling. A feeling of guilt after snacking on unhealthy fare is a common response.

    Boredom Snacking

    • Many people snack out of boredom. When you have nothing else to do, reaching for a bag of potato chips may seem like a good activity. However, you may not even be hungry. Eating late at night or while watching television is another bad habit many people have that can result in weight gain. When watching television, you don't fully focus on what you are eating or how much you are eating. You may end up eating the entire bag of chips, instead of just a few chips. Engage in hobbies and other activities to keep you from snacking out of boredom.

    Cravings

    • Cravings are to blame for many snack episodes. If your diet is high in processed foods and simple carbohydrates, such as white rice, white bread, pastries, cookies and cakes, you may experience frequent cravings. These foods digest quickly and cause your blood sugar to drop. They give you a quick energy burst followed by fatigue and tiredness. You're left hungry and crave more food. To avoid these cravings, snack on filling foods, such as Greek yogurt, pistachios and hard-boiled eggs.

    Stress Snacking

    • When you experience high levels of stress, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol. According to The Natural Health Website for Women, cortisol triggers uncontrollable urges to eat foods that are unhealthy. You may end up reaching for cookies or chips and eventually weight gain can set in. Stress snacking can leave you feeling worse than you did before. To avoid high stress levels, practice meditation, yoga or deep breathing techniques.

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