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Belly

How To Combat Cravings: Two Simple Strategies to Snack Less

By March 23rd, 2021No Comments

This week we’re talking about cravings and how to best control them so they won’t derail your weight loss efforts. Each week I dole out two tips to help you create a healthier lifestyle and today we dig into finding ways to curb the crave! Welcome to your #Twosday Tips!

We all have cravings and when they strike they can be hard to resist. This is why you need to know how to properly fuel your body so as to not give into the crunchy and salty, or sweet and sugary! 

1. Fill up on healthy fats. And then wait 20 minutes before eating anything else! 

That means wait before downing a second handful of nuts! This is what plenty of people fall prey to and why they don’t snack on nuts because they’ll end up plowing through the whole bag without taking a breath. 

The key in waiting is to let your tummy have a moment to signal to your brain that they’re all good, no more input necessary. It takes time for that to happen, unlike when you cut your finger or burn your hand and you get immediate feedback. The tummy to brain thing is a little more archaic, Think snail mail not texting 😉 

But have faith that all good things come to those who wait and if you wait out a crave after knowing that you gave your body what it needed (healthy fats and/or protein), not what it wanted (sugary/salty treats), then you shall receive the spoils—which will be averted cravings!

2 Check your watch. You may be habitually eating. 

I know for me, making dinner opens me up to a slew of cravings and I used to be a total grazer. I’d take a bite of cheese, or munch on a few salty chips or crackers because I was in the kitchen making dinner, and what else can I do while making dinner? Snack of course!

Habits can be sneaky. When you stop and begin to pay attention, you can focus on what’s happening on the inside. Are you really starving, or is it that time of day when the munchies strike? I’ve learned that when I’m focused on making something delicious for dinner, I put all my attention into that, which distracts me from my usual hand grab of whatever I have near me that’s quick and easy. When I don’t snack I enjoy dinner that much more, and not surprisingly, I eat much healthier. 

Usually a glass of water can ease the tension as well and makes waiting for dinner much more tolerable. (Boring but true!)

There are your #Twosday Tips! Patience and paying attention will go a long way in helping you have more control over your cravings.

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