Fool Yourself Full

Now that I’m in the postpartum phase, I’ll admit that I want to get back into shape (who doesn’t want to be healthy?).  So a big part of getting back to my pre-pregnancy size is eating right…even though I still want to stuff my face with everything bad for me, lol!

But I guess I have to have some discipline or I truly will be stuck in stretchy pants forever!

I’ve been trying to monitor my snacking by making healthier choices and being more aware of what I’m eating.  And recently I stumbled upon the Pistachio Principle, which in a nutshell (pun intended, ha-ha!) is a concept that mindful eating will help you “fool yourself full” without having to feel deprived of food.  Sounds pretty good to me!

Basically, while eating in-shell pistachios…it takes a longer time to shell them and then leaves leftover shells; reminding your brain how much you’ve already had and limiting your calorie consumption.

Pistachios are also a very healthy snack…30 pistachios are only 100 calories.  I personally like to pair pistachios with baby carrots.  And a bonus is that Mabel likes to enjoy this snack with me.  😉  Score a point for this momma since that little girl likes both pistachios and carrots!

I also wanted to share with you a few tips to help snack healthier and ways to “fool yourself full“:

• Buy smaller portions of food.  Pretty simple – if you buy smaller amounts of food, you’re more likely to eat less!  😉
• Use smaller plates, cups and bowls.  Your brain will be fooled into thinking it’s eating more if you fill smaller plates, cups and bowls than eating more calories while filling larger plates, cups and bowls.
• Environmental factors can influence your eating!  Fast music and bright lighting may encourage you to eat faster – meaning you’re eating more calories before you realize that you’re full.

So here’s to healthy eating, getting in shape, and being happy with my postpartum self!

Want to win a whole year’s supply of pistachios?!  Check out Pistachio Health Institute’s sweepstakes on their Facebook page to enter!

Do you have any tips for me on snacking better or eating healthier?  Leave me a comment!  🙂

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.