We have the best of intentions to stay on a track of eating healthy and BAM! Out of the blue comes a craving for some sinfully delicious sugary or salty treat. What’s a girl to do?
I’ll tell you….
First, know that cravings happen more frequently when you begin to change your eating habits to healthier options. It’s your body’s way of saying, “HEY WAIT JUST A MINUTE! I didn’t approve of veggie omelets, salads, fruits, and tofu. Where are my cupcakes? Where are my Reese’s?” However, the longer you maintain your healthier lifestyle, the quieter those tummy rumbling cravings become. That’s the good news.
The other good news is that there are several great ways to ward off craving. Some people prefer non-food strategies such as going for a walk, meditating for a few minutes, doing some yoga stretches, or my personal favorite….spending some play time with your pet. (That one is Gatsby’s favorite as well).
Sometimes, when a craving hits, you simply must have something. I really enjoy infused water. An ice cold glass of water infused with your favorite fruit, mint, or cucumber is really refreshing. If you haven’t tried it yet I highly suggest that you do. You’re going to love it.
Treat yourself to a high protein snack such as a bit of peanut butter on some nice crisp celery, a hard-boiled egg, a handful of pistachios or almonds.
The publication, Appetite, once had an article that suggested picturing yourself actually indulging in the food item you’re craving would help reduce the craving. Personally, food visualization does not work for me. Sitting back and visualizing a jumbo slice of Lou Malnati’s pizza would surely make me want one even more.
Likewise, trying to talk yourself out of something doesn’t generally work. If I were to tell you, “Don’t think of a pink elephant” – the image of a pink elephant would immediately pop into your mind. So telling yourself that you don’t want chocolate or that bag of chips over and over will only cause you to keep the craving alive.
So here is my 3 step recommendation for getting those cravings to go away…
- Try one of the non-food strategies I mentioned.
- Try one for the high protein foods or infused waters.
- Give in.
Yes, you read that correctly. Now, I’m not talking about giving in within the first 5 minutes but if a craving is lasting for hours or even days, go ahead and indulge……in moderation! I recommend eating the item away from home. For example, if you are craving ice cream don’t go to the grocery store and buy a half gallon to bring home. Go to your local ice cream or frozen yogurt shop and get a nice kids scoop of your favorite flavor and enjoy.
Cravings are not the end of the world. We all have them. It’s how we handle them that’s important. Don’t let your cravings manage you. You need to learn to manage your cravings. I would love to hear some of your tips and tricks. Drop a comment below or give me a shout on Facebook.