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Cravings
happen. And, unfortunately, they don't often drive you to the refrigerator,
zombie-like, for a big green salad. Instead, they send you to the drive-thru
or the candy aisle, and they make you do silly things. As a result, you
feel helpless, a victim to your urges and a failure for wrecking your
healthy eating.
The
good news is, according to experts, you don't have to be defeated by cravings.
You can reign in these seemingly uncontrollable feelings and be at peace
with food once and for all.
It's
human nature to want what you can't have. The same goes for cravings.
If you tell yourself you simply can't eat a certain food, you'll want
it even more. When you exclude the foods you enjoy, those banned foods
become craved foods. If you're trying one of the low-carb diets, you'll
probably find yourself salivating over pasta or doughnuts. If you've vowed
to be "good" and never touch sweets again, you may feel utterly hypnotized
at the sight of the dessert tray. In most cases, cutting out any one food
from your diet (especially one that you love) will only backfire on you.
So, take off all those "bad" labels from foods. There are no bad foods.
Responding
to your cravings doesn't mean you failed. It simply means you're listening
to your body. And your body happens to be telling you that you really,
really need corn chips at that very moment. So do it, but exercise portion
control. Buy smaller portions of good quality food and really savor it
Some experts say it only takes 100 calories to satisfy a craving. So,
keep smaller portions on hand for such occasions: miniature chocolate
bars, single-serving ice cream cups, bite-sized cookies. They may cost
a bit more than their bulk-sized counterparts, but saving yourself the
extra calories is worth it.
It
might not be a Dove Bar you're craving, but simply the sweetness of it.
So, instead of running for a gooey dessert or a handful of full-fat chips,
try to tame your cravings with a healthier food. Fruit is a great dessert
option, since it packs a lot of sweetness without the fat. If you're in
the mood for crunch, baked chips, air-popped popcorn and pretzels might
quell your hankerings.
If
you're experiencing cravings frequently and aren't satisfied by smaller
portions or healthier substitutions, try distracting yourself from the
urge. If you just ride it out, they will often pass. Many cravings will
dwindle after about 30 minutes, so find a quick distraction. Take a bath
or call a friend. If you need to get out of the house (and away from your
craved food), take a quick walk with the kids or go outside and play with
them.
If
you've tried these strategies to no avail and continue to feel out of
control in regards to your cravings, you may want to consult a professional.
Registered dieticians can help you achieve balance in your diet and get
to the root of your eating issues.
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