52 Weeks to Healthier Weight Loss Habits (Series) Week #21: Chew Gum While Preparing Meals

If you are new to the 52 Weeks to Healthier Weight Loss series you can view previous weeks here.

This week’s healthy habit is going to be an easy one – chew a piece of gum while preparing meals. Doesn’t get much easier than that, right?

I was looking over previous weeks, and while each of the habits has been very helpful to me, they seemed to require a bit more thought to implement – most of them anyway. Therefore, I wanted to give you a habit this week that requires nothing more than buying a pack of gum and sticking a piece in your mouth while you make dinner. Losing weight can be really overwhelming, especially when starting out, so I feel this small habit will show you even the littlest of efforts can provide you with big results.

Studies have actually shown that chewing gum is helpful in reducing cravings and managing weight. People who chew gum decrease their mealtime calories by 40 – 50 calories or more. Over time that can really add up! This combined with other healthy habits can result in positive weight loss results. For more healthy habit suggestions check out this article by Everyday Health.

Snacking while I made dinner used to be a huge issue for me. Looking back, there were plenty of times I would eat a dinner’s worth of calories before we even sat down at the table. All of these calories were mindless. Mindless in the sense that I was not even thinking about the food I was eating as I popped it into my mouth. However, we all know that all calories count – even the ones we don’t pay attention to. Actually, those are the ones that usually cause the most problems.

Chewing a piece of gum (along with my 20 minute rule) has helped tremendously to curb my appetite and cut down on my mindless eating as I prepare meals. Actually, I tend to grab a piece of gum anytime I find myself craving food but not necessarily hungry.

Times I reach for a piece of gum

• When I make meals.
• After dinner so I keep myself under control with dessert.
• When I want an afternoon coffee.
• If I still experience cravings after I have my mid afternoon slump snack.
• After 7:00pm.

Of course, I do not chew gum 6 or more times a day – that would be a bit valley girlish. I only reach for a piece of gum if I feel like my cravings are starting to get out of control. I mostly chew sugar free gum.

My personally favorite gum is Wrigley’s Extra Dessert Delights Mint Chocolate Chip – it is yummy! What is your favorite gum flavor?

Action Plan:

1. Purchase a couple packs of gum. Keep one in your purse and one somewhere in your kitchen. Chew a piece when preparing meals or when you know a craving is going to hit.

If you choose to do the action steps today, or previous weeks, please come back and leave a comment telling us about your experience. If you are a blogger leave a link if you are talking about this on your blog (please link back to the post/series) or if you have any comments or tips to offer please do so. We are all here to support and learn from one another

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