Snack Attack! Why Am I Still Munching? Part Two

Here it is! Five more reasons hunger may not be why you just can't seem to stop snacking.

• Your hormones are in overdrive: A fluctuation of hormones before and during your menstrual cycle can sabotage even the strictest diet. Estrogen influences your appetite and menstruation causes hormone levels to surge. A study by Dr. Neal Barnard, founder and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), found that excess body fat leads to increased estrogen-activity, as does a high-fat, low-fiber diet. Conversely, a low-fat, high-fiber diet decreases estrogen levels and PMS symptoms.
• You’re skipping meals: “Women are more likely than men to skip meals,” says Gerbstadt. “It’s this starvation and binge cycle that leads to overeating.” Not eating regularly will cause your blood sugar to plummet. “Eating every two to three hours is the key to maintaining a high metabolism,” says Dr. Lisa Drayer, dietitian and author of Strong, Slim, and 30 (McGraw-Hill, 2006). Eating breakfast is non-negotiable. “If you’re skipping breakfast, you’re setting yourself up for bad choices all day,” says Susan Levin, staff dietitian for PCRM.
• You’re not combining foods: If you’ve just eaten a bowl of pasta but still feel famished, it’s no surprise. “A bowl of pasta will not sustain you,” says Deanna Conte, a dietitian and personal trainer in Boston, Mass. “Carbs are digested in only one hour, [whereas] protein and fat are digested in four to seven hours.” The perfect meal, dieticians agree, is one that combines carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats.
• You’re eating too many processed foods: If processed foods are prevalent in your diet, your body is probably undernourished. “The less nutritious your food, the less satisfied you’re going to feel,” says Levin. “If you eat a whole bag of Doritos, you’re still going to feel hungry. You’ve gotten no nutrition and your body knows it. Your body wants vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. It wants high-fiber, nutrient-dense foods that aren’t calorie dense,” she says.
• You’re eating on the go: Eating while standing up or in transit destroys a diet. “It’s not when you eat, but how you eat,” says Alex, a member of Overeaters Anonymous. To maintain her 70-pound weight loss, she eats mindfully – not in front of the television. “I realized I ate food I didn’t even like,” she admits. “My mind was screaming ‘stop!’ but my hand was still stuffing food in my mouth.”

Source: Oxygen Magazine, Can't Get No Satisfaction by Katie Trainor, http://www.oxygenmag.com/easyweight