Food Cravings…Last Thoughts…

Food Cravings.  Wrapping it Up…A few Last thoughts

Each particular food or food type has its own specific triggers. Knowing what triggers your own personal food cravings and how to manage them will help you get past the urge. There are healthy alternatives to every craving type as well.  Just be sure to purge your pantry of the bad stuff and have a healthy alternative close by when the craving hits.

Food cravings aren’t as simple as some may believe. People are often told to use willpower or simply to stop eating certain foods. However, cravings are often rooted in psychological, physical, or emotional needs. The first step to curbing your food cravings is to figure out what causes them and then why you can’t control the urges.

Let’s talk for a minute about why you get the cravings and about why it can be so difficult to control them. Did you know it’s not your fault you crave sugar and refined carbohydrates like bread, pasta and chips? When you eat these foods, they actually cause your blood sugar levels to spike? In fact, research shows that sugars light up the pleasure centers in your brain just like cocaine and heroin do. Sugar really is a drug, and we can crave it just like a drug addict craves a fix.

Outside factors such as manufacturers and advertising media have an effect on food cravings. Sugar, salt, and the carbohydrates in processed foods make you want more. However, these aren’t the only reasons cravings can grab you when you least expect them.

Food cravings can be the result of a lack of nutrients in our diet or it could be something in our environment that sets them off. It could be stress, emotions or conditioning that makes us crave different foods.

Cravings can be harmful in several ways. Some of the more common problems include weight gain, which can lead to a whole host of health issues including diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. Another harmful outcome of cravings is addiction. Foods like sugar, and anything that breaks down into sugar such as alcohol, can be addictive and very difficult to be without.

There is good news though. Food cravings can be controlled with hard work and conscious smart changes in your diet and in your eating habits.

For instance, if you normally eat lots of processed foods, begin cooking your own meals to help control the amount of sugar, salt, and fats. Take advantage of fresh herbs and spices to add more flavor to your meals. Enjoying a savory healthy meal every three hours or so will help curb your cravings. Regular eating will help keep your blood sugar level which helps ward off blood sugar spikes and crashes that will tempt you to reach for that huge chocolate chip muffin.

Control your environment and the people you associate with as well. If you have trouble saying “no” in social situations, you may find it’s in your long term best interest to change your activities.

In the end, curbing your food cravings is a big step toward helping you lead a healthy lifestyle!

Make Major Improvements in Your Life!

Cheryl A Major, CNWC