Overcome Your Cravings; Eat this, not that
I am going to give you tips and ideas on how to control your food cravings. Often times, cravings are unhealthy foods and not the healthy fruits and veggies that our body really needs. We tend to crave things like chocolate, creamy ice cream or milkshakes, fried fatty foods, and sweets (sorry if I am making you hungry). These foods go straight to our butt and hips, and it is not always a pretty site. So save yourself the despair and distress and get rid of the Oreos and sour gummy bears (even if they are your children’s or husbands snacks. They don’t need to be eating them either for their own health!!). Throw them away……in the garbage can…….outside.
Avoid what you crave: One way to avoid these foods is to not keep them in your house, period. If you do not eat them regularly, then your body is less likely to want these foods. The first few days are always the hardest. Kinda of like quitting smoking if you are a smoker or alcohol if you are an alcoholic. For some, food is the same thing……an addiction. Once you get these unhealthy foods out of your diet and start eating healthier foods, you might just start to crave fruits or carrot sticks. You never know till you try it!
Caffeine Boost: Indulge in a coffee(not a high fat/calorie one from Starbucks either) late in the day if you are craving some of those unhealthy foods again. The caffeine can help give you a boost and help fill your tummy. Here is a little secret: if you are craving chocolate, put a little shake of cinnamon and a shake of cocoa powder into your coffee grinds before making your coffee. It adds an amazing flavor!
Guzzle the Water: You’ve all heard that drinking water can help fill your stomach and stop you from being hungry. This can be true if you are dehydrated. Add a few mint leaves to your water for some added flavor. It tricks your brain into thinking you are getting a little something extra.
Distractions: If you are hungry because you are bored…..find something to do. Do a workout, go for a walk, read a book, put together a picture scrapbook, play with your children, etc. If you take your mind off of the food you are craving, you will likely forget about it.
Indulge: Indulge is just that, indulging, meaning you don’t eat that food often. It is OK every once in a while to eat something bad for you. However, don’t go overboard. Get a small ice cream instead of a pint. Eat a 120 calorie snack pack of the skinny cow delicious peanut butter stick instead of a 200 calorie pack of m&m’s. Make smart choices…..you are a smart girl and know exactly where those calories are going to go if you over-do it.
Plan out your route: If you plan out what you are going to eat throughout the day, then you are more likely to make healthier choices. If you start out eating a good/healthy breakfast, the rest of the day shall follow.
Cravings Eat this not that:
If you are craving chocolate, eat 1 oz of dark chocolate (it’s just enough to satisfy your craving AND heart healthy).
If you are craving a donut, eat a Vitamuffin.
If you are craving potato chips, try Pop Chips (portion out your serving)
If you are craving something sweet and gummy, eat frozen grapes.
If you are craving ice cream, try a fudgesicle or fat free pudding.
If you are craving frozen yogurt with a mix-in, try fat free yogurt with some granola.
If you are craving something salty and crunchy, try 95% fat free microwave or air popped popcorn sprinkled with parmesan cheese.
Some other healthy snacks to keep on hand are cut up carrots and celery with some homemade almond butter or hummus. Cut up fruit with some fat free yogurt for dipping. Baby bell low-fat cheese wedge.
Facebook Comments
