Hungry as a lion during the Holidays?
Do you have cravings or struggle to feel full, therefore have difficulty releasing excess weight?
Do the holidays mean weight gain, bloating, self-sabotage, and guilt?
Well, then, I have a secret health tip for you!
You know the story during the holidays…… parties, Christmas cookies, Hannukah chocolates, Solstice bread, wine, beer…. Gluten, dairy, and sugar galore! And the weight goes up and our morale plummets. We hope to make a New Year’s resolution to reverse the trend… but we are starving…. Ugh.
We’ve all heard it a million times: To release weight, you need to create an energy deficit by burning more calories than you consume. While it may sound simple in theory, anyone who has embarked on a weight-release journey knows that achieving this consistently can be quite challenging, especially during the holidays.
The good news is that you don’t have to just tough it out; there are specific foods that can help curb your cravings and keep you feeling naturally full. In this blog, we’ll explore the science behind these foods and learn about a remarkable hormone, GLP-1, that can make sticking to your diet goals much easier.
Foods That Make You Hungry & Foods That Make You Full:
Eating should make you feel full, right? Unfortunately, highly processed foods do the opposite. They lead to increased hunger because they’re rapidly digested, causing a quick spike in blood sugar followed by a dramatic fall, leaving you craving more processed foods. On the other hand, whole, unprocessed foods like grass-fed meat, nuts, whole veggies, and some low-sugar fruits can make you feel full and satisfied.
There are other reasons for being hungry, such as having pre-diabetes or insulin resistance, candida, various nutrient deficiencies, thyroid imbalances, adrenal issues, and gut health issues.
But there’s more to the story. Some foods can trigger a unique hormone called Glucagon-like peptide 1 or GLP-1, which signals to your brain and gut that it’s time to stop feeling hungry.
Introducing GLP-1: The Satiety Hormone
GLP-1 is a remarkable hormone that affects your metabolism, gut, and brain. It’s released by the small intestine, pancreas, and central nervous system after a meal. Its primary role is to slow down gastric emptying, or the passage of food from the stomach into the small intestine, a crucial factor in regulating hunger. It also inhibits food intake, has been shown to have cardio- and neuroprotective effects, decreases inflammation and apoptosis, and has implications for learning and memory, reward behavior, and positively affects taste buds.
But that’s not all – research has shown that GLP-1 works synergistically in the gut and brain, acting on receptors that control satiety. In simpler terms, higher GLP-1 levels mean feeling less hungry, and we all know that feeling less hungry makes it much easier to adhere to your dietary goals.
Foods That Boost GLP-1
You might be wondering how to boost your GLP-1 levels. The answer can be as simple as incorporating certain foods into your diet. Research has shown that whole foods high in protein (meat, poultry, and fish), eggs, fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi, olive oil, and gelatin have the power to elevate GLP-1 levels.
One study even demonstrated that a single 20-gram serving of gelatin increased GLP-1 levels in obese participants, suggesting that gelatin could be a valuable tool for individuals striving to stick to weight loss diets.
Certain herbs and supplements can also impact GLP-1. These include:
- Berberine
- Curcumin (the active component of turmeric)
- Cinnamon
- Resveratrol
- Pro and prebiotics
- Supplements that help the gut, such as L-Glutamine also increase circulating GLP-1 levels.
Harnessing the Power of Gelatin
I’m not talking about JELLO kind of gelatin. Rather, a daily dose of natural gelatin, such as that found in bone broth. In a future blog, I’ll explain the differences between Collagen and Gelatin; for now, let’s consider them similar enough to be interchangeable.
I am currently doing quite a bit of intermittent fasting. I listen to my body and aim for 18-20 hours. Some days I do a full 24 hours, others I go for 16. And sometimes I do a little trick, that technically breaks my fast, but prevents me from eating.
Want to learn my trick?
A quick serving of gelatin-rich Bone Broth Protein can help me power through those last few fasting hours, especially when my appetite is thrown off balance due to holidays or poor sleep. It’s a win-win for me as it helps prevent overeating after my fast ends and primes my digestion for what’s to come.
A single serving of 100% Grass-Fed Bone Broth Protein is all you need – it’s unsweetened, unflavored, and dissolves instantly into almost anything.
Send me a private message to receive 10% off my favorite brand. I’ll drop ship it to you so you can begin enjoying it immediately.
Incorporating these natural gelatin sources into your diet is a must-try if you’re interested in the satiating effects of GLP-1.
Releasing weight and maintaining a healthy diet during the holidays can be challenging, but understanding the role of GLP-1 and the foods that boost it can make a significant difference. By incorporating these foods into your daily routine, you can harness the power of this satiety hormone to help you feel fuller, control your cravings, and stay on track with your health and wellness goals. It’s time to make your diet work for you, and these foods can be your secret weapon in the battle against hunger.
Happy Holidays and Blessings of Vibrant Health.