Cravings happen for many reasons but the most common is because your diet is not balanced. You should not be truly hungry if you are eating balanced and small portion meals every 3-4 hours. You may be emotionally hungry from boredom, stress, happiness, exhaustion ect. Most people get these cravings more frequently at night when things are less hectic. Here are some helpful hints to help you kick the cravings:
– DRINK 16 oz of water!* Preferably with lemon
*Note: Drink plenty of water because hunger can be the result of dehydration. I drink at least 1 gallon per day.
– Pick up a hobby that will take your mind off of eating
– Go for a walk or do some other activity
– Eat a mint or chew sugar free gum
– Brush your teeth
– Drink hot tea
– Start cutting back on sugar, artificial sweeteners, and sodium**
**Note: These stimulate your cravings and cause bloating. Most processed foods have too much sugar and sodium so read your nutrition labels! Try to cut back a little bit each week and watch your cravings diminish.
-Ask yourself, is short term gratification worth that extra pounds and work at the gym. There is no return policy on things you throw down the hatch!
If you are following a balanced diet and you feel that hunger between meals this could be a sign that your hard work is paying off and your metabolism is revving up! That hunger is your body working but if you feel like this after 4 hours EAT because your blood sugar may drop. Waiting too long to eat will lower your metabolism. Eat your meals and stop the in between snacking!
If your hunger gets the best of you here are some healthy snacks*:
– Almonds
– Sunflower seeds
– Veggies
– 1 bite of a protein bar
– 1 Rice cake
*Note: consume these snacks with 16 oz of water
