Four ways to reduce food cravings

Posted on sustenance And tagged Nutrition, Lifestyle, Diet, Food Cravings

Sedate or satisfy? These methods help to reduce cravings and gain control over the urge to snack.

When trying to reduce our sweet tooth cravings, the resistance seems barely manageable. That intense, seemingly uncontrollable urge to pounce on a candy bar, punctually at 3 p.m. Late at night, we sneak around the warm glow of the refrigerator and watch the cheese. The hunt for a snack when you just finished dinner half an hour ago. It takes a disciplined soul to pull the brake before you yield. Or not? There are lots of scientific reasons why you're still hungry (or think you are). And since we know the answer to why cravings occur, we also know how to avoid them.

1. Eat a trio of craving-killers

Protein helps build and repair cells. It keeps our muscles, organs, glands, and skin healthy. We all need protein every day. Because you use more energy digestion protein than refined carbohydrates, it increases the feeling of satiety — which is why it's considered a weight-loss miracle. But excessive consumption of protein and leads to an imbalance of your food pyramid and won't prevent cravings. Loud Dr. Michelle Hauser, a certified chef, physician, and clinical assistant professor of medicine at Stanford, you should eat foods that provide a little fat, a little fiber, and a little protein. Fiber makes you feel instantly full, protein gives you a prolonged feeling of satiety, and fat works together with your hormones to tell your brain to stop eating.

2. Don't confuse thirst with hunger

Assess how you're really feeling. What is it really about? Often when we reach for something to eat, all we need is a drink. If you feel this sudden craving for a particular food, try drinking a large glass of water and wait a few minutes. Sometimes you'll find that cravings disappear and your body actually just needs a little liquid.

3. Away from desire - or away from me

When the cookie jar is in front of you, you're going to ripen in — right? Changing your environment can be one of the easiest ways to reduce your desire for food, as you literally cannot physically reach the object of desire. Go to the gym, call your friend, go for a walk, or take a bath: It can be surprisingly helpful to distract your mind and body from food by taking them to a different environment. All of the activities we give as examples release feel-good hormones and help reduce stress. And we all know that stress can lead to excessive consumption of high-calorie foods (yes, we mean you — fast food).

4. A good night's sleep

Coffee cannot replace healthy sleep. Getting enough sleep is one of the best ways to reduce food cravings as it balances your hunger hormones. You'll be less likely to crave caffeine or sugar as a quick source of energy. Go to bed at a reasonable time (the average adult needs between seven and nine hours of sleep to function best), and if you find it difficult to sleep through the morning, try to quench your cravings with a quick half-hour rest during the day.

Posted on sustenance and tagged Nutrition, Lifestyle, Diet, Food Cravings.