Cravings can be the “make it or break it” factor when it comes to staying on your eating plan. Here are a few quick tips you can implement right away to fight cravings and hunger pangs and make sure you stick with your diet long term:
- Change your focus. If you get a sudden craving for your favourite food, don’t keep thinking about it. Recognise that you’re focusing on how good it will taste, and instead focus on something else. Distract yourself. Think about how good you’ll look in that swimsuit or in those new jeans. Think about all the compliments you’ll get when you reach your ideal physique. Or, do some house chores.
Drink water. If you’re experiencing temptation, grab a glass of water. Drink it down and have another. This will help fill-up your stomach and more often than not, will make the craving go away. Another tip is to drink carbonated water as some folks report it helps them feel fuller.
Eat more salad greens. These are absolutely healthy and chock-full of important vitamins and minerals. Plus, it’s hard to overeat them since they’re so low on the calorie-density scale. You can also eat these as “snacks” in between meals to curb hunger pangs.
- Get plenty of fibre. Foods that are high in fibre will make sure you stay full for longer periods of time, as the fibre helps slow the digestive process. Good sources are oatmeal, broccoli, nuts and beans.
- Eliminate temptation. One of the best ways to avoid temptation in the first place is to make sure it’s not there! So rid your cupboards of any junk or foods that trigger cravings. Also, when you’re out and about, avoid passing by places that are appetite triggers.