How to Fight Food Cravings

Food cravings are like waves building on the ocean and ultimately breaking on the beach. Usually, waves slowly build to their strongest point (when, in the case of food, most people give in) and ultimately weaken. Unfortunately, most people forget that the waves or cravings fade over time and, instead, fear that they will become out of control and can only be stopped by eating. Giving into the urge, however, only makes the craving stronger and more frequent with time. Fighting the urge and outlasting the food craving will cause it to fade away.

Almost everyone has a food craving from time to time. Unfortunately, many of these cravings are for foods that are high in calories, sugar and fat.

Dealing with cravings can be difficult. While many people may fight the craving for a period of time, they ultimately give in and, when they do, end up eating a large amount of the desired food.

Here are some tips to beat food cravings or avoid them all together.

1. Change your scenery

Sometimes, just being in a different environment can eliminate a craving. That’s because your surroundings may trigger the brain to crave certain foods.

2. Drink water

Sometimes a craving can be quenched by hydration. Drink a tall glass of water, wait 15 minutes, and if the craving is still there, try something else to fight the urge to eat.

3. Sweat

You work hard to stay healthy and that includes exercising on a regular basis. Why would you want to undo all of your hard work by giving in to a food craving? Resist a craving by going for a walk or working out with a short exercise video. You’ll overcome the craving and do something great for your body.

4. Avoid sugar

Sugar in itself can set a person up for a craving. That’s because when you consume sugar, your blood sugar spikes and quickly falls. This is what some people refer to as a “crash.” When your body “crashes” the instinct is to rebound by eating more sugar. Try eating well-balanced meals and snacks with protein as well as carbohydrates to avoid a crash and burn.

5. Don’t starve yourself

Eating five to six meals a day is recommended to keep your metabolism up, but it also helps with cravings. By eating smaller, well-balanced meals, there is never a time when you feel like you are hungry or “starving” yourself. When you skip meals, you are setting yourself up for trouble because the lower your blood sugar drops the weaker your will becomes and you’ll likely end up eating the foods you crave.

6. Identify your weaknesses

If you have a weakness for chocolate, accept it, and avoid it by not having any in the house. Of course, you cannot always avoid every situation where trigger foods might be present, but knowing your weaknesses can help you prepare.

7. Substitute

Helene shared with us on Twitter“I tend to crave sugary things. So usually I'll just chew some sugarless gum and that takes care of the cravings!”

8. Or go for the real thing

Melissa, also from Twitter, says, “I eat what I'm craving ;) or drink water with lemon” to quiet a craving.

For some people, this may work. Eating a small amount of what you are craving might be enough to satisfy the urge. However, for a lot of people, eating a small amount of what they are craving might sets the stage for a bigger binge.

How do you combat cravings?

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