By Kac Young Ph.D, ND, DCH

You’ve had a stressful day. You’re anxious about tomorrow. You just had words with a friend or a spouse. Your desk is piled high with “to do’s.” You’re feeling tired. There doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of your tunnel. What do you do? Instead of reaching for the candy box or the cookie jar make a different decision. Whatever you decide in this moment will show up as a positive or a negative on your body.

Comfort food will not change the situation. Only management and delegation will reduce your stress. Here are seven tips for coping with the stresses of your day without overeating or indulging in bad food choices.

1) Think before you drink. Your challenges will still be there after the drink. Choose seltzer, water or iced tea instead of something with side effects that could prolong your anxieties or even worsen them.

2) Hydrate all day long. Drink plenty of water and you will find your urges for fats, salt and sweets are less when you are satiated with water.

3) Just a taste is your secret key. If you crave sweets, then have “just a taste” and don’t eat the whole slice of cake or pie. Eat is slowly, savor it and then put it away. One taste is all you really need to satisfy most cravings.

4) Employ mindful munching in the form of nuts (unsalted), dried fruits, whole grains and veggies. Snack frequently. This keeps your blood sugar even and balanced throughout the day helping to quell those surges of insulin that crash and create cravings.

5) Watch your portions. Serve your food on smaller plates and reduce your helpings to save calories and extra weight gain. Eat slowly to appreciate the flavors and textures.

6) Silence temptation and mute your commercials. So many ads on television feature ooey-gooey, sauce-dripping food items that bubble and sizzle in front of your eyes. This is temptation on a stick. Mute the sound and you’ll be less likely to phone out for a pizza.

7) Take a hike. Instead of sitting down in front of the TV with a box of Oreos, take a walk. Hike around the block at a brisk pace and by the time you get back you’ll have forgotten about the cookies and grab a nice glass of water instead.

There are many alternative ideas for your health and for your snacks that you can choose. See what we have for you at Heart Easy.com .

– Kac Young , a former television director and producer, has earned a Ph.D. in Natural Health and is a Doctor of both Clinical Hypnotherapy and Naturopathy. She is the author of 10 books. Heart Easy is a system of nutritionally sound, delicious meals that promote heart health, long life and taste great. Traditional recipes are turned into heart healthy meals that anyone can make. The health results are outstanding.