Food cravings. They can attack us all, from the Super Fit Health Guru to the dedicated couch potato. Food cravings, particularly when trying to drop fat, are unavoidable, and to deny their existence will make you more vulnerable when they
attack. The best thing to do is to have strategies in place to combat them and head them off at the pass. Here are some great tricks to keep those cravings at bay.
attack. The best thing to do is to have strategies in place to combat them and head them off at the pass. Here are some great tricks to keep those cravings at bay.
Stop Cravings Before They Start:
Cravings generally occur when your body is missing a nutrient or type of food that your diet has been lacking. This can be prevented by making sure you are eating well-balanced meals and snacks throughout the day. If you are eating nutritious, clean whole foods high in protein and in particular green vegetables, you will stay relatively full and your blood sugars with remain level. Without these regular dips in your blood sugar, you are much less likely to crave quick fixes like simple carbs and nasty processed foods and
sugar.
sugar.
Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!!
Did you know that sometimes what our brains register as hunger is actually our body trying to tell us that we are dehydrated? The next time a craving hits you out of nowhere, make a point of drinking a full glass of water before you give in to it. Not only will it fight "hydration pangs," it will also curb your cravings by filling your stomach. Drinking 3-4 litres of water per day, every day, will significantly impact on your cravings and help to continually cleanse the body of any excess toxins.
Distract Your Taste Buds
Sometime cravings hit because you are stressed or bored and your mouth needs something to do. A great trick is to brush your teeth! The burst of freshness and flavour will refocus your palate and should nip that craving ithe bud. Plus it will make any food you go to eat much less appealing!
Don't Eat. Do!
Sit down and make a list of 10 things that you can do instead of succumbing to your cravings. Keep the list close at hand and refer to it whenever you get a craving. It may sound silly, but it is a really effective weapon against those persistent cravings. Your list might include going for a quick walk, taking a shower, playing with your children or even my personal favourite doing 10 burpees! The point is to focus your attention elsewhere and recondition your mind to crave something more active instead of food that you really don't need.
Rule Your Cravings with an Iron Fist
Sometimes it is less about craving a particular food and more about a general impulse control. The next time you are hit with a craving (not genuine hunger), clench your fists and tell yourself that you will not give in and indulge. Research has shown that the physical activity of clenching your fists can help you assert control and be conscious in your decision making.
Remember:
Sharing Is Caring...For Yourself
If you really cannot resist a piece of cake or bowl of chips, then try splitting one serving with a friend. There are three reasons why this strategy halts the damage cravings can inflict on your fitness goals.
First, you get to experience the satisfying taste, preventing you from feeling deprived and possibly opening yourself up to a binge later on.
Secondly, by splitting the portion you instantly reduce the damage and bring your treat down to manageable levels.
Lastly, you get instant support in your healthy decision from your like-minded friend. Just make sure you split a single portion - not an entire extra large Chocolate Cake!
First, you get to experience the satisfying taste, preventing you from feeling deprived and possibly opening yourself up to a binge later on.
Secondly, by splitting the portion you instantly reduce the damage and bring your treat down to manageable levels.
Lastly, you get instant support in your healthy decision from your like-minded friend. Just make sure you split a single portion - not an entire extra large Chocolate Cake!
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