Healthy foods don't always have the best taste, and dieting is even more difficult when the cravings start to kick into high gear. While you may have an easy time adjusting to smarter foods overall, it's important to find ways to avoid falling for every craving. It might be okay to cheat every once in a while, but our 7 helpful tips can help you gain complete control over your desire for junk food.
Eat Before You're Hungry
An empty stomach causes a temporary feeling of desperation to put a stop to the hunger pains, and you may feel tempted to grab a bag of chips or settle for fast food. Cravings aren't likely to show up if you space out meals and healthy snacks well enough to avoid hunger. Baby carrots or fresh cut broccoli make a great crispy snack when you feel the urge to munch between meals.
Distract Your Mind
Thinking about sweets and processed foods is ultimately going to make these temptations more difficult to avoid. Rather than sit around fantasizing about foods you're determined to not consume, get up and find a distraction. Get out of the house and get some fresh air during a walk around the block, or take a little drive listening to your favorite music. If you're finding it hard to overcome a sweet tooth, switch to a sugarless gum between meals to satisfy the urge without breaking your diet.
Splurge on Water
Pour yourself a tall glass of cold water before every meal, and don't be afraid to drink another anytime you feel the urge to snack. After a few minutes, the craving is likely to fade because the body often confuses thirst with hunger. Eating before meals is a handy trick to eating smaller portions if your ultimate goal is to lose weight.
Eliminate Daily Stress
It's not secret that people tend to look to their favorite foods when trying to cope with stressful or upsetting situations. Meditate regularly, relax with some herbal tea, and increase light exercise to eliminate stress that may influence bad eating habits. Excessive stress may also spike your cortisol levels, making it very difficult to lose undesirable belly fat.
Never Shop While Hungry
Plan to head out on your shopping trip after finishing a meal, and stick closely to the intended grocery list. Temptation will be high when you are faced with your favorite junk items and the delicious aromas of fried foods at the deli counter. If you go into the store hungry, you'll end up leaving with a cart full of items that reflect the same foods that you're working so hard to avoid.
Sleep Well
The relation between sleep and eating habits may be more significant than you realize, especially when it comes to poor dietary decisions. If you're accustomed to staying up late for any reason, you're more likely to partake in a little snacking right before you lay down. Not only is this bad for your diet, but it's normal for people reach for packaged snack items instead of preparing a healthier option. Inadequate sleep is also going to cause hormone fluctuations that enhance normal cravings to a greater intensity. Make sure that you get to bed a a decent time each night, and don't be afraid to use remedies like melatonin supplements or a glass of warm milk to help you fall asleep.
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