Managing your cravings may seem like an impossible task. With every day stressors and temptations, and simply not knowing how to make better choices instead, your cravings might seem like they will always overtake you. But that doesn’t have to be the case
Even after being on this lifestyle change journey since 2008, I can honestly say the cravings haven’t gone away completely, but they have been greatly reduced. I do not give in to them nearly as often and I have developed a healthier relationship with food!
What have I learned along the way? I put together my top 5 Tips to Help You Manage Your Cravings plus a delicious recipe!
1. Eat balanced meals – One of the main reasons that you have cravings is because your body is not getting the nourishment it needs. Cravings are your body’s way of saying it is out of balance and lacking in one or more areas. Overconsumption of fast food, fried foods, sugary and processed foods leaves you nutrient-deficient because you’re filling your body with “empty calories”
To create a balanced plate, make 1/2 your plate green veggies, 1/4 of your plate a lean protein, then the remaining 1/4, a complex carb. You can also add 1-2 tablespoons of a healthy fat on the side for a little something extra!
2. Make breakfast – When you eat a healthy, balanced breakfast, you’re more likely to make healthier choices throughout the day. Allow your breakfast to set the tone for the day. What are your healthy intentions for the day? Establish that with the first meal of the day. Some easy options include overnight oats, green smoothies, egg muffins, casseroles or frittata’s
3. Fill nutritional gaps – If you’re craving sweets, then you need more glucose. But opt for fruit or naturally-sweetened foods. Craving chocolate? You might need more magnesium, found in nuts, seeds, beans, and whole grains. How about soda? You might need more calcium, which you can find in cheese or dairy foods (ex. yogurt or cottage cheese), green leafy veggies or sardines
4. Get some rest – When you’re tired, you might crave foods that will give you a quick boost of energy, like pastries, cookies, or candy. Establish a night time routine and aim for 7-9 hour of sleep per night. Your body needs to receive signals that it’s time to wind down – a warm bath, listening to soothing music, un-plug from social media one hour before bed, or read a book
5. Avoid extreme food restrictions – THIS is why I am anti-diet. Diets are restrictive and are essentially set-up to cause you to fail. “How do I know if I’m on a diet?” When you have a laundry list of “bad” or “off limits” foods, then eventually your body will rebel and you will begin to crave those foods more and more. I promote balance, moderation, and creating a sustainable lifestyle. Instead of constantly removing food from your daily diet (with the exception of food sensitivities and intolerances), find more calorie-conscious ways to satisfy your cravings
To help you with that, I’m sharing what I call your next favorite Banana Bread Recipe!
I hope you found these tips helpful! Comment below and let me know which tips you plan to try!
Don’t forget your recipe!!
I help career women who struggle losing weight create effective and sustainable lifestyle changes while eating food they enjoy! Let’s partner together! 1:1 Health Coaching or Weekly Personalized Meal Planning Services!
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