Ah! Temptations. They are all around us. I am certainly no stranger to the occasional urge to rip open a chocolate bar, go through the drive-thru window, or dive into a jar of my favorite peanuts — and I’ll bet you aren’t a stranger to this either.
You know, the occasional indulgence isn’t anything to be alarmed about, but if you find yourself licking the remnants of these indulgences off your fingers on a more regular basis, you’ll need to practice some control to get in charge of those cravings. This is something that is way too familiar to me. And I’m the kind of person who is either all in or all out. Know what I mean? So this is a lifestyle I have had to learn to take control of.
You see, the goal here is to be in charge of your cravings, not have them be in charge of you. I have to be honest. For many years, cravings were totally in charge of me. I would so disgusted with myself and would promise myself tomorrow would be different…..but it never was. Those cravings were totally in charge of me! Not a good place to be for sure.
Here are some ways for you to handle these cravings and get back in the saddle for your healthy routine.
Get to the root of your cravings
Take note of when you’re going for these foods. Is it boredom? Did you have a horrible day at work? Is it that time of the month? All of these things can be a trigger for your cravings. Try to really think about what it is that is driving you to that craving and then once you identify them, try to be aware next time that happens to you. Next time the craving comes around, stop and evaluate your surroundings, noticing what may be triggering this craving.
Pro Tip: Restrain yourself 80% of the time and enjoy the things you crave 20% of the time. Eating healthy the majority of the time will lower your cravings drastically, anyway.
Try to eat more often
It may sound counter-intuitive, but if you eat more often, you’ll keep your blood sugar levels on an even keel. Pack a healthy snack to enjoy mid-morning and another to have mid-afternoon. By doing so, you’ll feel fuller longer and be less likely to head to the office vending machine.
Slow down when eating
Mindful eating – being sure to sit down with intention for your meals and snacks and not just eat while you are doing something else – is the best way to keep from overeating, whether you’re eating a nutritious meal or splurging. Your brain doesn’t get the message that your stomach is full for about 20 minutes. Therefore, slowly chew your food. Savor the flavors. You’ll find you won’t need to eat your entire portion, nor will you feel like you have room for dessert.
Do something else
Cravings never last forever. Eventually, you’ll forget about your craving if you distract yourself. Go for a walk, read a book, message your friends, put up the laundry or involve yourself with anything else that you can think of. Before you know it, you’ll have forgotten about that nagging craving.
Swap smartly
If you really can’t help munching while you are watching a movie, swap out unhealthy options for healthier ones. Choose crispy carrot and celery sticks with hummus or a small serving of mixed nuts. Want something cool, sweet and refreshing? Freeze melon balls to get an ice cream-like experience without the guilt.
Keep your food cravings out of the house
You know the saying “out of sight, out of mind,” right? It’s so true when it comes to food cravings. As much as possible, keep these things out of your home. If you get late-night cravings, you won’t have those things around to binge on, and you’ll be less likely to go out of your way to get them.
Cravings will come and go, but when you’re armed with solutions to combat them, you’re putting yourself in the position to control the cravings, rather than being controlled by them.
So, let’s get honest here. My biggest craving I get is for either Dairy Queen Peanut Butter Cup Blizzards or English Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Chocolate… I notice it happens when I feel like I deserve a reward for something or when I am just sitting around watching TV.
If you haven’t already signed up for my “5 Simple Recipes to Kick Your Sugar Addiction” the click >>HERE<< for your copy.
What craving nags you the most?
Comment below and let me know.
Do you want some 1-on-1 hand-holding and accountability to help you ditch the sugar and become a healthier version of yourself? Click the button below to schedule your free breakthrough call with me. >>SCHEDULE HERE<<