NUTRITION
Motivator No. 2: Habit The longer you’ve held onto a behavior, the more likely you are to stick to it without thinking. Brushing your teeth is a great example, but it holds true for our eating patterns, too. Many people still have dessert every day because they grew up doing it! According to Psychology Today, if we’re eating out of habit, our brains don’t even tell us when we’re full. Motivator No. 3: Boredom On a slow day at home, it can be really easy to eat a whole bag of chips without noticing. That’s because eating tasty foods releases dopamine in our brains, creating a positive feedback loop that makes us want to reach for another bite. Without anything else to keep your mind busy, that little jolt of pleasure will always make you want another chip. With all of these factors working against you, overeating might sound inevitable. But don’t worry, it isn’t! There are actually a lot of tricks you can store up your sleeve, like planning delicious snacks throughout the day to tickle your dopamine receptors, staying busy with hobbies you’re passionate about to avoid boredom, or drinking a big glass of water or tea at a party to keep your hands busy. The most effective strategy to avoid overeating, though, is simply staying mindful. If you find yourself reaching for a snack, stop for a moment and ask yourself, “Why do I want this?” If the answer is “Because everyone else is having one,” and not “Because I’m hungry,” or “Because it will nourish my body,” you know it’s time to step out of the kitchen.
WHY DO WE EAT?
Have you ever been at a party and started feeling a bit awkward, then found yourself wandering over to the buffet for something to snack on just so you can keep your hands busy? Sister, we’ve all been there, and for a reason! Multiple studies have found that much more than hunger influences our decision to eat. Here’s a quick rundown on three unexpected reasons why we snack. Motivator No. 1: Social Pressure Food is a huge part of socialization, and if you’re invited out with friends, not eating can seem rude even if you aren’t hungry! Plus, according to WebMD, “people pleasers” are prone to eating more at social gatherings just to do something nice, like make a host feel their food is appreciated.
RECIPE: CLASSIC ROAST CHICKEN
INGREDIENTS
• 1 cage free chicken, approx. 5–6 lbs • Kosher salt • Freshly ground pepper • 1 large bunch fresh thyme, 20 sprigs removed • 1 lemon, halved
• 1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise • 2 tbsp unsalted grass-fed butter, melted • 1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced • 4 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces • Olive oil
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Rinse chicken inside and out, removing giblets if included. Move to a work surface, pat dry, and liberally season with salt and pepper. Stuff cavity with thyme bunch, lemon halves, and garlic head. Brush outside with butter, and then season again. Tie chicken legs together with kitchen string.
3. Meanwhile, in a roasting pan, toss onions and carrots in olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and 20 sprigs of thyme. 4. Place the chicken on the vegetables and roast for 1 1/2 hours. 5. Remove from oven, and let stand for 20 minutes covered with foil. 6. Slice and serve with the vegetables.
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