Cravings are human and we all have them! Here are some dietitian approved tips for curbing your cravings.
1. Balance your meals with carbohydrate, fat & protein. Don’t miss out on important nutrients! If your daily balance is off, it could end in late afternoon and evening cravings. Eat balanced and satisfying meals to nourish and energize your body and help you feel your best.
2. Eat more often. Have a plan and eat a meal or snack every 2-3 hours.
3. Stay hydrated. Sometimes hunger can be confused with thirst. Keep a water bottle nearby to drink throughout the day.
4. Find your triggers. Stressed, sad, bored? Is there a pattern to your cravings? Once you find your triggers, you may be able to avert your cravings by choosing a different activity to help manage stress without food. Take a walk, call a friend, work on a hobby, meditate, etc. Food cravings are generally short lived. Try to put it off to see if it goes away. If it doesn’t…
5. Listen to your cravings. Give in…in a healthy way. Salty? Avoid that bag of chips and reach for lightly salted nuts or a serving of cheese. Sweet? Skip the candy and reach for a piece of fruit. Comfort? Find comfort in a satisfying snack that offers a nutritious punch (i.e. peanut butter and apple, guacamole and veggies, hummus and whole wheat flatbread). It’s also OKAY to give into your actual cravings and fully enjoy them instead of trying to eat around them. If you do give into your craving, give yourself permission to fully enjoy and don’t feel guilty about it! When we place foods as “off-limits” we are more likely to think about them, therefore enjoying them every now and then takes them off their pedestal.
We hope you find these tips helpful!
