How To Handle Cravings

One thing that is a sin during diet is giving in to food cravings and this is the most common sin. Everyone has done it at least once while on a diet. We don’t think before or while we are eating when and what we aren’t suppose to eat.

We fill ourselves up with guilt after we have given in. Cravings are more of a psychological addiction than a physical addiction, bearing little relation to you being hungry.

We should realize that there are two types of hunger — physical hunger and emotional hunger. We should all differentiate between them and tackle them differently.

Cravings happen due to emotional hunger when you might feel hungry if you are bored, angry, sad, happy, depressed, anxious or stressed. Even if we know our cravings fighting them can be extremely difficult.

The bad news is we can’t understand our cravings, even scientist struggle to get to the root of its cause. The good news is you can control them.

You can adopt the 5 D approach to avoid cravings. Remember to move on to the next step only if the previous one fails.

Delay: When craving attacks delay it for fifteen minutes, this helps you subside your hunger

Distract: Involve yourself in any other activity and STOP THINKING ABOUT FOOD. It can be music, reading, talking anything.

Distance: Go away from where you can even think of food or any related thing mentally as well as physically

Determine: If you still want to give in, take a small portion of something healthy. If you want to have something which is not healthy, ask yourself again and again before eating it.

Ways to Control Cravings

Don’t skip meals as they increase your craving for food and leave you hungry. Keep healthy snacks, like fruit or veggie sticks handy.

Drink lots of water don’t let thirst be confused for hunger. Dehydration can sometimes be mistaken for hunger. Water makes you feel fuller.

Portion Control: Replace king size version of snacks with snack/treat size versions.

Avoid keeping foods you crave for in your house, and avoid shopping for food when you are going through craving

Treat yourself once in a while, your deserve it. You can pick up single scoop of your favourite ice-cream or a small chocolate bar.

Keep yourself involved & happy: Listen to music, take a long relaxing bath, and indulge in a spa. Do whatever keeps you busy and happy.