Do you find yourself eating the wrong foods more than you like? It's all too easy to go through a drive-thru when you're craving something salty, sweet, crunchy, etc. My weakness is for sweets. I'm the type of person that likes having dessert after dinner. Eating junk food on a regular basis can have a negative impact on our bodies, primarily in the form of weight gain.
There was a point in my life where I would eat fast food several times a week. I felt sluggish, bloated, and the more I ate it, the less I was motivated to do much of anything else. Why bother exercising when I already ate poorly the entire day? Below are some tips that may help you stop the cravings for junk food and crave foods that are healthier.
1. Change where you shop for food - Local supermarkets are fine but if you live near a health food market, try shopping there for most of your meals. These types of markets have healthier alternatives to most foods. You won't (at least shouldn't) find junk like cupcakes and cheese puffs.
2. Pack a cooler of healthy food - Many times, it's tempting to pull into a fast food restaurant because you're short on time and hungry. Keep a small cooler in your car packed with healthy sandwiches and snacks. When that temptation hits, you can grab something from your cooler and pass right by those fast food places.
3. Cook your own meals - Common sense right? It really does work. The more you get into the habit of preparing healthy meals, the easier it becomes, and the less you will crave the junk.
4. Choose your snacks wisely - Do you tend to crave salty snacks or sweet cake treats? Find alternatives to satisfy those cravings. This is where a health food store will come in handy. Keep healthy alternatives stocked, especially if you live with someone who likes to keep junk food in the house. You can reach for your food and feel less tempted to eat their junk.
Those are just some tips that may help to stop cravings. What has helped you?
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Hi! These tips are really great! I have a sweet tooth, too, so I know how hard it is to ignore the cravings. I’m an intern for Healthy Monday–a non-profit group that aims to use Monday as the day to promote healthy habits and behaviors. Check it out: http://www.healthymonday.org. We’d love to have you join our network of blogger that write Healthy Monday Tips each week–you just have to post it on your blog and we’ll feature you on our site! Contact me if you’re interested
Best one out of this list for me — cooking at home. I’ll consume easily twice the number of calories per meal if I eat out.
The biggest problem I have is that it is too easy to visit the vending machine in the office and sit on my butt all day doing very little. The work routine the majority of the country is in is the same, meaning we crave foods to satisy our boredom.
Good article, well done.
Great advice, definitely cooking your own meals slashes calorie consumption dramatically! 2 other techniques I’ve found really helpful are 1. Using some sort of natural appetite suppressant like a spirulina based supplement and 2. drinking water whenever possible instead of eating junk. Sounds silly but it gives your stomach something to sit with which will actually help with weight loss too.
Hi there,
Thanks for the wise words, it all seems obvious, but good to see it actually in front of you. I have certainly found that drinking water helps to distinguish between hunger and boredom. I can easily relate to sitting at my desk craving a chocolate bar. Since I started using The Daily Plate and equating calories to the effort required to burn off that chocolate bar, it has made me think twice.
Cheers
Good info guys, helps alot as i do every now and then crave those fatty foods. Thanks again for the info
Matt
Pack a cooler wins for me… “pro-active eating” – keep yourself full on the right foods before the temptation to eat junk kicks in!
YES! Preparation is the mother of this skill!!! I am a personal trainer, I can direct my clients to this! Good info, thanks! I recently discovered eating a 1/4 to 1/2 pickle when I feel starving, maybe it just works for me but it helps! Try it out let me know! Feel free to visit our website, you are always welcome! http://www.horizonpt.com Keep up the great work!