Gone are the days when people would starve themselves to look skinny (good riddance, we are all foodies here!).

Fit is the new thin, a bikini body is a body in a bikini.

Embrace your body, is the new mantra for everyone, embrace your body type, rather. So, what does this actually mean?

To us it means; taking care of your mind and body by consuming a nutritious diet of healthy and supportive foods and thoughts.

Instead of trying to achieve the impossible, the so-called perfect figure / physique, the emphasis here is on being the best version of yourself.

Being comfortable in your skin is a high that once experienced can be very addictive.

To help you on this journey we have a few pointers on how not to feel hungry all the time if you are taking steps towards or trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Don’t suppress pre-workout hunger

A big mistake many people make is to ignore their food cravings before working out.

The best way to satisfy your pre-workout peckishness is by consuming high protein, low calorie food at least 30 minutes before you exercise.

Exercisers who workout in the mornings and have hectic schedules can eat a banana and munch on a handful of mixed nuts.

If you have more than an hour, before you hit the gym (or yoga class) then you can go for a low calorie breakfast comprised of oatmeal, fruit and nuts.

Incorporating this simple habit in your routine will help you in a few ways :

• It will provide you with the much needed energy and stamina for your workout

• You will not feel ravenous after exercising

• You will be able to complete your entire workout without feeling exhausted mid session

Snacking healthy doesn’t mean depriving your taste buds 

It’s very common to reach out for a pack of fried chips or calorie laden cookies when you feel hungry between meals. Impulsively snacking on the wrong foods might give you momentary satisfaction but it is not a good long term solution.

You don’t want to eat that everyday, you want to give in to your cravings and you want something that’s healthy and tasty!

Phew! Here’s what you can do.

If you are craving a salty snack, instead of repressing the urge, go for lightly salted, low calorie food such as roasted almonds, pistachios, cashews or broad beans.

To satisfy your sweet tooth you can snack on dried cranberries, blueberries, strawberries and black raisins. Dried fruits and nuts are some of the best low calorie, high protein food available!

They not only help you feel full they also provide your body with fuel as they are packed with many essential nutrients, dietary fiber and protein.

Just make sure that you stick to a small portion size (good enough to be a snack but not large enough to be a meal).

Practice mindful eating 

If you are obese or overweight and really need to reduce weight then try these simple but extremely useful tips!

Practice mindful eating of low calorie food for weight loss.

Mindful eating is when you have a meal slowly and are really focused on eating it without any distractions.

Eating while watching TV or working can make your brain miss the important “you’re full” signal and make you overeat. No matter how big or small your meal is, chewing it well and eating it with intention is a great way to keep feeling full for a longer duration.

So, the next time you mindlessly pick up something unhealthy to eat, stop and swap it with a healthy alternative.

Say, if you must have a movie night snack then replace your tortilla chips and store bought dip with freshly cut veggies and a homemade dip of hung curd and seasoning!