 Choose sensibly to satisfy cravings
Cravings are a nasty fact of life. They defy all logic. Explanations for cravings range from hormones to nutritional deficiencies; which means there is no definitive answer. What's more important is what to do about them when they happen. Everyone gets them, no matter your age, gender or dedication to a healthy lifestyle. Acknowledging this helps you to keep your head when they do come along.
So, when you get a craving, take a moment and give some thought to what might be causing it.
Is it an external influence? A classic example is movies and popcorn. The minute you make a plan to see a movie, your mouth starts watering for popcorn. In this case, make a healthy substitute. How about a couple of 100-calorie snack packs to munch on instead?
Is it stress? Have you been feeling overwhelmed lately and looking to food for comfort? There are better solutions to help you relax such as a hot bath, a long walk or getting lost in a good book.
Could it be hormonal? It may seem like a stereotype, but it happens too often to be discounted. There are simply times when we really want to hit those carbohydrates, particularly chocolate. Keep in mind that hormone fluctuations are just another form of stress. Usually we are looking for comfort. So, the same options you turn to for stress relief will often help in these cases as well.
Sometimes, just waiting a few minutes will get you past the worst part and bring things down to a manageable level. In the meantime, there are a few tricks you can use to try to get your taste buds and your brain heading down a different path. Brush your teeth, chew a piece of gum or have a mint. You can also drink a glass of water, or even water with a little bit of juice in it to make it taste a bit sweet.
And yes, there are going to be those times when you try every trick in the book and you still have got to have that particular food.
Well then, go for it. But use your head. Have just a little, go slowly, taste it and enjoy it. Make it count. Usually about four or five bites of a food will satisfy a craving. After that the taste is not as strong. So, have a bit and stop. If later on you still need a bit more, have a bit more and stop again. If you are thinking it through and being honest with yourself, this will usually be enough. Don't deprive yourself too much; having little treats now and then and making them count will help you to avoid mindless binging at a later point.
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