Arm yourself with the resources you need to stop succumbing to your cravings.
Have you ever felt enslaved to your cravings? Like there is no way to move forward in your day without eating from the fountain of fast food, sugar, and carbohydrates? More often than not, these extreme hunger cues source back to valid reasons.
Below are four tips for lowering the amount of cravings you have and overcoming them when they do arise.
This bears saying: cravings can sprout up from a good ol' healthy appetite. Many times, when people start making healthy choices, they sometimes restrict their calories too much and begin to feel hungry. Left unsatisfied, hunger can growl and grow until it people accidentally lead their bodies straight into extreme hunger mode. That's a dangerous place to be. Cravings become king and hunger levels dull. Good news, however. There is a simple fix. Eat enough! When you sit down for a meal, make sure it contains all the necessary nutrients, plenty of protein, and enough calories.
Temptation tiptoes in when you feel uncertain about your upcoming meals. So, preparation must take priority when fighting cravings. When you know what you are going to eat and when, you won't find yourself tailspinning into spontaneous snacking. Since we can't plan everything, I do recommend to always carry an emergency snack in your purse! If you find yourself hungry and still running errands—too far from home to wait for your next meal or snack—you are far more likely to give in to those check-out counter candies. Pack some trail mix to-go!
Go home and eat something before heading to the grocery store. That way, you won't "hungry shop." Hungry shoppers are far more likely to give into their cravings and make spur-of-the-moment, unhealthy purchases. Once you have your head about you, shop with a purpose and fill your pantry with ingredients you can feel proud of. Next time you finish a work meeting and head into the kitchen for lunch, you can only choose from a plentiful array of wholesome options.
Have you ever fallen captive to sudden, extreme hunger after watching a commercial on TV or a friend eat something ooey and gooey and yummy? You immediately feel hungry and make space in your stomach for this off-limits indulgence. Give yourself a minute. Go take a walk, drink some water, or pop a stick of gum in your mouth and distract yourself from the craving. Chances are, you are stronger than your cravings and can say no!
When feeling the weight of responsibility and lack of time, many people succumb to unhealthy eating behaviors that can turn into patterns and habits. Slow down before going back in for seconds. Shut the door in your office and take some deep breaths. A few minutes of silence mixed with deep breathing can help lower your stress level and potentially your hunger as well.
Also, are you sleeping enough? Studies show that sleep plays a huge role in hunger regulation, self-control, and stress. Give your body the sleep it needs tonight so that you can wake up ready to commit to the grind tomorrow.