Detoxing

Food Cravings Include Craving Alcohol & Carbohydrates

Food Cravings Include Craving Alcohol & Carbohydrates

Food Cravings…Alcohol

In certain limited situations and most definitely consumed only in moderation, alcohol can be beneficial. However, there are many more unhealthy situations and concerns related to drinking alcohol when abused. Alcoholism and medicine interactions are two of the many issues.

Overcoming alcohol cravings:

  • Recognize your “triggers”. External triggers include people places, things, or time of day. Knowing your triggers helps you to avoid them.
  • Internal triggers can be from emotions or even from nutrition deficiencies. When you experience the urge to drink, think about what you are feeling. Are you sad, frustrated, lonely or cocktail_TheCulinaryGeeknervous? Try to avoid these situations.
  • Keep alcohol out of your home.
  • Avoid activities that involve drinking whenever possible.
  • Remind yourself why you are limiting alcohol.
  • Talk to someone when you can’t handle the craving. Contact your sponsor, a trusted friend, or a family member who understands.
  • Distract yourself with healthy activities like lifting weights, meditating, or watching short videos online.
  • Eat a healthy meal three times a day.

 

Alternatives to alcohol

  1. Non-alcoholic beers and wines
  2. Coffee and tea
  3. Fresh fruit and vegetables, more proteins
  4. Going for a walk, swim or other exercise
  5. Taking a long relaxing bath
  6. Spending quality time with your kids and family
  7. Listening to your favorite music
  8. Learn a new skill or hobby like cooking or drawing
  9. Needle work like knitting & crocheting keep your hands busy
  10. Volunteer at an animal shelter or at a food pantry

 

Food Cravings…Carbohydrates

In your body, carbohydrates convert into sugar. You may find that carbohydrates give you a similar craving to that of candy or other sweets. Simple carbohydrates like white bread and pasts convert to sugar in your body very quickly, giving you a glycemic bump just like eating a candy bar.

Overcoming carbohydrate food cravings

  • Purge your pantry of all white flour products.  This includes white bread, white rice, instant frozen waffles_Qfamilymashed potatoes, crackers, potato chips, processed pasta, and muffins.
  • Empty the freezer of French fries, hash browns and premade breakfast foods like frozen waffles.
  • Experiment with more unusual grains like barley, millet, amaranth, whole-wheat couscous or bulgur.
  • Pack lunches and snacks with healthy foods like raw veggies and hummus.
  • When a carbohydrate craving hits, ask yourself what you really want. Are you just trying to fill an emotional need? Do you want something creamy, sweet, or cold? Do you want something crunchy or chewy?
  • Find alternative activities. Get a manicure, clean your closets, or spend time playing a game with your kids when a craving hits.
  • Eat breakfast every day and don’t skip meals.
  • Take supplements beginning with a good multi vitamin.
  • Be sure to eat some kind of protein with each meal to stay satisfied longer.
  • Add flavor with spices and sauces.
  • Get plenty of sleep.
  • Fix your gut by eliminating foods you are intolerant to such as dairy or gluten.

Alternatives to carbohydrates

  • Lettuce wraps instead of bread
  • Portobello mushroom “buns”
  • Eggplant or zucchini for pasta
  • Butternut squash, turnips and carrots instead of French fries
  • Cauliflower in place of mac and cheese or mashed potatoes
  • Oatmeal
  • Fresh, raw vegetables
  • Eat cooked eggs like a boiled egg for a snack
  • Sardines, and nuts (almonds, peanuts, pecans, walnuts) make great snacks
  • Add more beans, cauliflower, bananas, and mushrooms to your dishes.

Each particular food or food type has its own specific triggers. Knowing what triggers your food craving and how to overcome it will help you get past the urge. There are healthy alternatives to every craving type as well.

Make Major Improvements in Your Life!

Cheryl A Major, CNWC

Cheryl Major

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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