If You are Craving some Foods, Eat these Instead

Food cravings are the dieter’s worst enemy. These are intense or uncontrollable desires for specific foods, stronger than normal hunger.

The types of foods that people crave are highly variable, but these are often processed junk foods that are high in sugar. Cravings are one of the biggest reasons why people have problems losing weight and keeping it off.

Try this first: Drink some water.

Thirst is often confused with hunger or food cravings.

If you feel a sudden urge for a specific food, try drinking a large glass of water and wait a few minutes. You may find that the craving fades away, because your body was actually just thirsty.

However, if the craving persists, then call on the suggestions in the chart below.

Food cravings aren’t bad; how you respond to them may make a difference. Giving in to cravings may lead to overeating and consuming more calories than your body needs. This can contribute to weight gain and other health issues.

However, completely ignoring food cravings or trying to suppress them can also be harmful. This may cause feelings of deprivation and ultimately lead to binge eating or unhealthy restrictive behaviors around food.

Believing that your cravings are bad may also create a negative attitude toward food and eating, which can further impact your relationship with food. It’s okay to eat the foods you crave. If you feel as if your cravings are excessive or out of control, take a look at your overall diet and make sure it isn’t too restrictive and that you’re eating enough. Talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns.

Source: Angie Barnett (Pinterest); healthline.com; betterme.world

Photo credit: evucenter.com