Wish you could kiss those cravings goodbye?
I’m certainly no stranger to the occasional urge to rip open a chocolate bar, go through the drive-thru window, or dive into a bag of my favorite chips — and I’ll bet you aren’t a stranger to this either. In fact, I know I have shared with you before, my total obsession with sweets and all things chocolate.
Unfortunately, in my own life, this led me down a slippery slope to where I was so hooked on the chocolate that I would hide my “stash” and then go and hide in the bedroom to eat it — and a lot more than I should. I would be so disgusted with myself afterwards that I would determine that I just wasn’t going to do it any more….and when the cravings came back the next day, I would tell myself I was just going to have a few pieces. But that just didn’t work for me! Yes, I am a full-blown chocoholic! (Can you relate?) For the most part, I am good with this now. However, I am always aware of the fact that it would be so easy to slip back into that unhealthy pattern of binging.
The occasional indulgence isn’t anything to be alarmed about, and for many people, they can eat a little and be satisfied. 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. The goal here is to be in charge of your cravings, not have them be in charge of you.
I am not saying it is easy, nor am I saying that you can never indulge and enjoy some of the foods you love! 🙂 What I found helped me was thinking long-term with my health. I knew that it was damaging my body, putting on that visceral body fat around my stomach, and causing my weight to go up and down. Not a good place to be. 🙁
My motivation? When I think about how I want my future to look, for me that is living a healthy lifestyle to maximize my longevity and to live without the sicknesses and diseases that I am genetically pre-disposed to on my side of the family – plus I want to have lots of sustainable energy to fully enjoy the life I have. If that’s you, then here are some great tips to help.
Here’s how to handle these cravings and get back in the saddle for your healthy routine.
Get to the Root of Your Cravings
Make 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 be mindful of them once you identify them. Next time the craving comes around, stop and evaluate your surroundings, noticing what may be triggering this craving. 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
This has been a hard one for me. I come from a family who literally gulps down their food without giving any thought to digestion, savoring what you eat, etc.
Mindful eating 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
One of my worst times is in the evening after dinner. Maybe I am watching TV or even sitting out on the back porch watching the water and the sunset. The good thing is that 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. Most of the time, when I give in, it’s because the foods I am craving are readily available to me. So, 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. Answer these questions….
- My biggest craving I get is…
- I notice it happens when…
- What craving nags you the most?
Comment below and let me know.