We all want to curb cravings!! What is your craving challenge? Your snacking snag? Sweet or salty? or possibly both?! Rich and sugary foods trigger our survival instinct. Get this -> food cravings happen because our body – well, the brain – wants us to stay nourished. The problem is that when we are faced with a food craving, we can feel weak and guilty when we feel like we gave in.
Friends, let’s work to not be afraid of cravings, but instead be aware of them and also aware of the choices we can make to take better care of our bodies. What we need to know is how these cravings get started!! What cues up the craving?? When our blood sugar drops – often because we have skipped a meal or we’re coming down from a sugar rush – cravings go up! Download a free Clean Eating Shopping List and then read on!
What’s up with the 3pm slump?
Here is another thing to know – our body will crave carbohydrates for an energy boost. uh, 3pm slump anyone?? Those carbs are the easiest for the body to break down into glucose. The deal is that foods that are high in fat and other additives will cause a spike in dopamine in the brain. Cue, the sugar rush!! Oh, how we love the feeling we get from that spike. We CRAVE it…but…
…when that spike wears off, we just want more! More of whatever (candy, chips, cookies, cake) gave us that great feeling and wanting more of that great feeling might even override the fact that we are full!!
Foods to Control Cravings
Focus on the amount and type of carbs you eat throughout the day. You want to eat enough so you feel satisfied and avoid overeating and poor choices. I shared some foods you can choose to keep your blood sugar from spiking in this week’s video. Grab your free Clean Eating Shopping List now and then tune in!
What can we do about cravings?
From personal experience, I have noticed that the more I make healthier choices, the less cravings I have. Carbs are not the enemy! When you feel a craving coming on – or a craving is triggered by a smell, an experience or a something you see – grab some water first and then a healthy snack. I have some of my favorite snacking options written up on this free download!
Tips to Curb Cravings
- Focus on what you are eating, instead of what you are cutting out.
- Avoid totally eliminating something you love. This could lead to increased cravings!
- Notice when you feel full.
- Count to 10 and think about why you are eating? Are you even hungry? Bored? Stressed? Is it the time of day? A habit?
- Modify your routine.
- Get more physical activity!
And, if your answer to why am I eating is because it makes you happy – then do it! Enjoy your food and appreciate what it does for your body! I love a good piece of cake. I make sure it’s exactly the cake I love and then I enjoy it! Like the one below I made on my daughter’s 5th birthday! That was a great cake!
