Cravings are a huge problem for many of us. I have even had to rebalance myself to master my cravings this year, which is a first for me.
So when I was going through the struggle of getting my cravings in check, I realized for the first time that this is what many of those that I work with struggle with on a daily basis and it can be extremely tough to refrain from your cravings if you don’t know what to do.
So I decided to share some wisdom on how you can successfully master your cravings…
Check this out, whether it’s your sweet tooth, which was my problem, or your woe-is-me-mood nudging you toward the goodies, there are some things that you can to get the urge in check, without depriving yourself.
If you’ve ever been called to the cabinet by a bag of chocolate chip cookies or better yet enticed by a bag of Oreo cookies and if you are hormonal, it could be a bag of Lay’s potato chips, just know that you are a normal human being.
Even the most disciplined people can’t help surrendering to food cravings. To simply put it, a craving is just a habit that you have scored into your brain pathway.
For instance, if you tend to eat when you’re anxious or at a certain time of night, the behavior just continues on as part of your lifestyle.
What’s worse is a lot of people turn to mindless super snacking when they’re really looking to comfort themselves or just find a distraction.
So here’s the deal, don’t beat yourself up because of your succumbed to your cravings, just follow the suggestions below to get yourself back on track.
Salty Cravings – This can be a sign of dehydration or a mineral or electrolyte imbalance.
- To curb this craving reach for the spice rack Adding spices like turmeric, rosemary, basil, cayenne smoked paprika will help curtail this craving.
- To rewire and kill the cravings keep yourself hydrated divide your weight in half and drink that many ounces of water per day. Fill your diet with foods that are rich in potassium, like avocado and sweet potato. Potassium will bring water to your cells to hydrate you.
Sweet Cravings – Sugar is physically addictive, the more you eat of it, the more you want it.
- To curb this craving grab a piece of fruit. Fruit contains natural sugar and carbs that are balanced out by fiber and other nutrients causing less dramatic blood sugar spikes.
- To rewire and kill the cravings try going cold turkey on traditional sweets, for two weeks. Then over the next two weeks eat less of the not so obvious “sugar monsters,” like high sugar yogurt. By the end of the two-week cycle your sweet urges will be greatly diminished and by the fourth week your cravings will be dramatically reduced or none at all.
Here’s some more scoop for you, most cravings pass after about fifteen to thirty minutes so you also have the option of just waiting for them to pass.
A great way to distract your brain from the craving is to go for a walk, turn on some music and sing at the top of your lungs or dance around like there’s no tomorrow.
Wishing you peace, wellness & tranquility!
Namaste,
Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS
The Queen of Feeling Fabulous