Have distraction strategies ready. Cravings are rarely about physical hunger. In fact, experts say that cravings typically last only 10 minutes. So if you can find something to do for that small amount of time, those cravings will likely pass! Try going for a walk: outside, around the office/house... wherever. Studies actually show this could reduce your food cravings! Another idea? Whip out your phone, and play a game. Remember Tetris? A study in the journal Addictive Behaviors found playing it for only 3 minutes weakened test subjects' desires. Angry Birds = happy you! Speaking of phone tactics, have a go-to friend on speed dial. Text or chat until the craving passes. Social support is a huge help with weight loss!
5 Ways to Outsmart Cravings
Jul
24
2019
Hi Hungry Girl,I'm trying to lose weight, but my fatty-food cravings have always thrown me off course in the past. Any suggestions on how I can get in front of it?
Crazy Craver
Hi Crazy Craver,You've already got the right idea... Get in front of it! By being prepared, you can outsmart those diet-destroying cravings once and for all. Here are five tips and tricks to help you out...
Make yourself a mini mint arsenal. This one totally works! Mint is a natural appetite suppressant. One study even found that people who sniffed peppermint every two hours lost an average of 5 pounds a month! Keep some mint-scented hand lotion in your purse (DIY with unscented lotion and a little peppermint essential oil) along with some sugar-free mint gum and/or mints. You could even stash a mini bottle of mouthwash. Once you get a minty taste in your mouth, you won't wanna reach for whatever you were craving. Why bother? It won't taste as good! Mint-scented candles are also great to have at home.
Keep a food journal. You may know that tracking your food helps with weight loss, but there's more writing you can do to help combat those cravings. When the urge strikes, grab that journal and write down the details. What exactly are you craving? Are you truly hungry, or is an emotion driving your hunger? How did you feel after the last time you indulged in that craving? Was it worth it? If you're not up for this approach (it's not for everyone), I still recommend keeping track of everything you eat along with the calorie counts. Knowing you have to tally up the calories in eight Reese's Minis could be enough to stop you in your tracks!
Carry a water bottle with you at all times. We often mistake thirst for hunger or a craving to eat something. If you have H2O on hand at all times, you can stop those cravings before they take over. There are some really cute refillable bottles over on Amazon. Grab one, and fill 'er up! Before giving into a craving, force yourself to down 8 oz. of water and wait 5 minutes. There's a good chance that craving will pass! P.S. If you have trouble gulping down water, here are some tips 'n tricks.
Stock up on lower-calorie swaps for the foods you crave. Sometimes, the only way to outsmart a craving is to feed it. We've all got diet villains that threaten to throw us off track. (Mine are salty, crunchy snacks.) Identify the foods and flavors you crave the most, and then find smart, satisfying substitutes. Instead of potato chips and pretzels, I go for seaweed snacks (I'm obsessed with gimMe Snacks Organic Roasted Seaweed) and JicaChips (you've GOT to try 'em!). If it's sweets you can't live without, check out these 12 fixes under 200 calories. The key is to keep these swaps handy, so you don't cave to fattening foods when those cravings hit. Plug your personal cravings into the search bar on the HG website for a slew of solutions!
Get in front of it with these strategies, and those cravings won't stand a chance!
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Chew on this:
Happy National Tequila Day, July 24th! Cool off with a blended Mixed Berry Margarita…
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