Uncontrolled food cravings for high-fat, high calorie foods may lead to obesity. Your first step in dealing with food cravings is to recognise the triggers and your food of choice.
The following are some tips you can use to control your food cravings:
1. Get proper nourishment
Eat a well-balanced diet and drink plenty of water to curb your hunger pangs. Water makes you feel full and helps keep your mind off your food cravings. Ideally, you should drink 8 to 10 glasses of water every day, and slightly more if you exercise.
2. Moderation is key
Complete avoidance of certain foods may initially work but as your resistance wears out; you may give in by going on a food binge. If you crave for foods that are high in sugar and fat, feed your body something sweet in small amounts to satisfy that need. By giving in to your cravings in small amounts, you are able to satiate yourself without wreaking havoc to your diet.
3. Deal with stress
Stress and other emotional factors may trigger food cravings, it is best to deal with the cause of your food cravings by maintaining a positive outlook, engaging in a hobby, and practising stress reduction techniques.
4. Distract yourself
Food cravings last an average of twenty minutes. Deal with cravings by engaging in an activity that requires mental focus. Examples are brisk walking or an online game to take your mind off the temptation. Avoid sedentary activities like watching TV or videos that are identified with snacks and junk food.
Understanding that your food cravings are not usually signs of nutrient deficiency, but of a complex combination of psychological and physiological factors, may help you deal with food cravings
