Effective Strategies to Manage Holiday Cravings and Maintain Your Goals

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — As the holiday season approaches, many are looking for tips to maintain their wellness goals in the upcoming year.

Recent data from a Kaiser Family Foundation survey reveals that 12% of adults are currently using GLP-1 medications, a notable increase from 6% in May of the previous year.

While these drugs can aid in appetite control, there are practical strategies to help manage your cravings effectively.

Rémy Leigh Peters, a registered dietitian at the Providence Family Cancer Center, explains, “Many individuals confuse cravings with hunger, which are distinct sensations.”

Peters notes that quick responses to cravings often lead to unwanted weight gain.

“Cravings tend to diminish when you shift your focus, providing a clue to distinguish between genuine hunger and mere cravings,” Peters advises.

The first thing you can do is try to clench your fist or tighten any muscle in your body.

“It kind of triggers something in your brain, like, ‘I’m in control, this is my willpower,” said Peters.

Other strategies proven to help delay and distract are watching a funny video, calling a friend or doing a puzzle. Researchers say this stimulates the brain’s reward system.

“Some people actually do well with maybe playing like a video game or something where their hands are busy, or knitting or something productive that way,” said Peters.

Another way to halt your hunger is to get moving.

It’s a myth that exercise makes you hungrier. In fact, researchers say it’s the opposite.

“I think exercising kind of gets your mind off of that hunger feeling,” said Jean-Luc Celaya, a manager at 24-Hour Fitness in San Juan Capistrano.

British scientists say aerobic activity increases production of a peptide that suppresses appetite. Experts say dehydration can trick you into feeling hungry and studies show green or black tea can help you burn fat and balance your glucose levels.

“When your blood sugar’s high, sometimes you’re feeling more hungry, so tea is great, but water, of course, is always going to be your main source of fluid,” said Peters.

And why not try a cup of kindness? Researchers find doing good deeds or focusing on forgiveness reduces stress and can help you cut down on emotional eating.