Ah, Cravings- the bane of many people’s existence. One
minute, you’re patting yourself on the back for how well you have managed to
maintain that diet and before you know it, you’ve been overcome with the
burning need to devour that muffin that you know you shouldn’t.
Food cravings are a dieter’s worst nightmare. These
intense uncontrollable desires for unwanted and often unhealthy food are one of
the many reasons why people struggle to lose weight or maintain a healthy one.
Cravings are fueled by feel-good
chemicals in the brain such as dopamine. When you succumb to your cravings and
eat bad food, a rush of euphoria is created and the brain will continue to seek
this rush until it is satisfied. What’s worse is when we are in full on craving mode, we often convince
ourselves that we are hungry which makes it harder to resist.
The best way to keep your cravings in check is to stop
the cycle of surrendering to your urges. For this to happen, you need a plan
and willpower. Here are some ways to deal with food cravings:
East regularly
East regularly
Hunger can have you craving for things that you should
not eat because of low blood sugar. As such, always ensure that you do not go
longer than 5 hours without eating something healthy. Pick snacks that are low
in calories and fat to prevent your blood sugar from dropping.
Eat
more calories
If you have been eating
less than you should, you are also bound to deal with cravings. A diet that is
lower than 1,000 calories places your body in automatic craving mode.
Additionally, cravings are also more likely to happen when you restrict
specific food groups from your diet, which consequently leads to binging and
overeating when the opportunity presents itself.
Instead of completely doing away with certain types of
food like carbs, find a way to enjoy them in controlled portions. For example,
reward yourself once every 2 weeks by sharing a slice of your favorite cake
with your friend.
Distance yourself
Distance yourself
You may not even realize it but seemingly ordinary routines create powerful associations. For
instance, watching the Food Network because it is your favorite will probably
do little to suppress your cravings. To prevent yourself from succumbing,
consider distancing yourself from everything that triggers your cravings
including smells, sounds, and sights.
Plan
your meals
If possible, try and plan out your weekly meals before
the week starts. If you already know what you are going to eat, it stands to
reason that you will have eliminated any chance of spontaneity or uncertainty. Ultimately, you will be less tempted
throughout the week.
