Every night, it's a ritual. Open the door. Close the door. Open the door. Close the door. The refrigerator seems to have a magnetic pull that lifts us out of our seats and brings us, zombie like, to its door to unleash the sweet, salty, and fattening goodies inside.
The thought of an inanimate object having this type of power over us is surreal, but it's a nightly scenario which is repeated in thousands of households every night.
Here's what you need to think about before opening the door to extra calories:
&bullEat your 3 meals. It sounds a bit remedial, but it's very important to eat three, well-balanced meals for proper nutrition, to regulate your blood sugar level, and keep your body's metabolism active.
&bullWhy are you eating? Are you looking in the refrigerator because your favorite television show went to commercial break and you need something to do? Here's the perfect opportunity to burn a few extra calories by running up the stairs to check on the kids or by taking the dog out for a short walk.
&bullWhat's causing you to snack? Is it hunger or are you thirsty? First, reach for a glass of water to quench the "hunger" which could simply be your body telling you it needs to be hydrated.
Lastly, remember, we all fall victim to the magnetism of the refrigerator, so let's stack the shelves in our favor. On your next shopping trip, instead of reaching for the ice cream, replace it with a low-fat frozen yogurt. Instead of choosing a high-fat dip, replace it with a low-calorie salsa. Life is all about choices, now you'll have healthier ones the next time you open the refrigerator door.
