Have you ever started a diet only to be overrun by your cravings a week later? Do you think there's nothing you can do about it and you're destined to stay overweight forever? Think again. You need to understand why you have cravings and explore options for how to overcome them. What follows is a list of the best weight loss diet tips for overcoming cravings.
Snack Smarter
Your body is actually hard-wired to crave the foods that are the worst for you (I'll bet you have never really craved carrots or broccoli?). Why is this? Researchers believe it may date back to prehistoric times when sugary, fatty, or salty foods proved to be more life-sustaining. However, we are not stuck in the Jurassic period! It's up to you to pick snacks that will quell that craving, while still being good for you. If you want something crunchy, pick some fresh raw vegetables. If you want something sweet, try fruit. And if your body is having a salt craving, pick up some lightly salted nuts like peanuts or pistachios.
Schedule Your Indulgences
When you start a diet and cross certain goodies off your "allowed" food list, don't you find that's the only thing you want? It's normal to obsess when you are restricting your diet. But what to do? I suggest scheduling in some treats into your diet so that you don't have to constantly wonder when you'll have a chance to eat them again. If I were to start a diet thinking I'd never be able to have chocolate again, I probably wouldn't make it past the first week! But if I know that I am allowed to have 4 Hershey's Kisses on Friday afternoons, then I can resist the urges at other times. When you do indulge, make sure you savor every bite so they are truly satisfying your craving.
Ride It Out
Often, cravings will go away on their own within 20 minutes or so. If you can distract yourself during that time (go for a brisk walk, call a friend, pick up a book), you'll frequently forget about the urge to snack. Another tip: chew a piece of sugar-less gum. It'll keep your mouth occupied and may just be enough to get you through.
Prepare for the Afternoons
No list about the best weight loss diet tips would be complete without a mention of the afternoon cravings. Most people reach a slump in their days when it becomes harder to resist cravings, usually in the afternoons. Why is this? By this point in the day, you are typically tired and have a lower blood sugar level. If you are actually hungry, by all means grab a healthy snack like string cheese, a handful of almonds, or an apple. By planning ahead for these times, you'll leave yourself less vulnerable to those trips to the vending machine.
Accept the Craving
No, this does not mean you should grab the nearest bag of potato chips and devour the whole thing! If you can recognize that a craving is just a craving - not something you need to act on, it may be easier to let it go. Take some deep breaths and tell yourself, "I'm just having a craving right now. I am still in control. I can choose to make wise food decisions." The more you practice and master this technique, the better you'll get at it!
When you're on a diet and those cravings hit, you now know what to do. By following the best weight loss diet tips for overcoming cravings, you will prepared to stick to your diet and lose that extra weight!
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