How to Conquer Cravings
Scans from books/magazines are always hard to read, so I’ve retyped this here:
Cravings are largely preventable and if they do strike, they can be overcome. If you suffer from occasional (or constant) food cravings, the following guide will help you kick those cravings to the curb.
- Determine the source of your craving and get to the root of it
Have you eaten balanced meals including one or two servings of starchy complex carbohydrates that day? If you aren’t feeling satisfied by your meals, it might cause you to crave other foods.
Are you simply thirsty? It’s common to mistake thirst for hunger. Try quenching your craving with a tall glass of water or steaming mug of herbal tea.
Do you always crave chocolate at that time of the month? Sometimes it’s best to listen to your body and give it what it wants, so as long as you practice portion control and don’t make it an everyday (or even every week) habit. - Distract yourself
Close the kitchen and try any of the following activities:
Go for a walk
Talk to a friend on the phone
Paint your nails (you can’t eat while your nails are wet!)
Take a bath
Garden
Hit the gym
Visit The Kitchen Table vent about your craving by posting a blog entry and look at other members’ stories and photos for motivation. - Satisfy your craving in a Clean way
Craving sweets? Have fresh berries or a handful of unsweetened dried fruits.
Craving salt? Try unbuttered, air-popped popcorn, homemade baked pita chips and salsa or a handful of nuts.
You can turn practically any meal into a Clean one. If your favorite meal is steak and mashed potatoes, make it Clean by using a lean cut of meat and potatoes made with unsweetened almond milk or stock instead of butter. If you crave pizza (during your weight maintenance plan), load up a whole grain pita with tomatoes, fresh veggies, lean meats and a small amount of cheese. Making your old favorites Clean will satisfy your cravings without derailing your progress.
