It Will All Get Better In Time-Conquer Those Food Cravings

The combination of Halloween chocolate in my house and someone getting the best of me really, really, really got the best of me (don't you hate that-just when you think you have it all figured out). I am not even going to tell you how many of those mini snickers and Hershey's chocolate bars I ate as you might vomit just at the thought. I have had my eye on the chocolate for days now and was actually quite impressed at my willpower (I should have known it would all come tumbling down-chocolate always wins).

I really thought that at my advanced age of almost forty I would have been smarter, not so naive and far less trusting but apparently I still (will I ever learn) can be too quick to believe the best and most unrealistic of scenarios. Without saying too much about it just know that the chocolate is helping me get over the incident and that this is another one of those experiences that you hope you learned from THIS time (though with me it will probably take several lifetimes). Okay, enough self pity, lets get on to the actual post of how to help control those cravings and not eat an almost entire bag of candy when you have a bad day.


HOW TO CONQUER FOOD CRAVINGS

**EAT AT REGULAR INTERVALS DURING THE DAY-If you skip meals (ex. breakfast) or go too long without eating, your blood sugar levels will fall too low, which is a perfect recipe for food cravings, overeating and even binges. Allowing 3-4 hours between meals/snacks is a sensible maximum for women, although 3 hours is better. Men typically can safely wait 4-5 hours. And you don't need to eat much: even a single oat-cake can be enough between meals to keep eating urges at bay. As well as maintaining stable blood glucose levels, regular eating helps your metabolism to burn calories at an efficient rate. Finally, studies show that regular eating helps to reduce cravings associated with Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS). I hate to say this but I don't think that I can go 3-4 hours without something. I am a snacker so maybe just some smaller healthy little meals would work too (for those of you who read this blog often-need I say nuts would be a good snack).

**REDUCE YOUR INTAKE OF DRINKS THAT ACT AS STIMULANTS-According to some experts, stimulants (ex. sugar, caffeine in tea/coffee, caffeinated soft drinks-all things I of course enjoy)can cause fluctuations in blood sugar, and should be avoided or at least consumed in moderation. Switch to herbal teas, spring water and diluted pure fruit juices.

**RECONDITION YOUR BODY NOT TO HAVE THEM AT ALL-Ohmg! Did I really write that???? Not to have them at all???? What would life be like without the occasional pizza, the brownies, cookies, chocolate and of course the highly revered by me Diet Pepsi craving??? This is why I am a health wannabee because the thought of life without those dear yet junky foods sounds sad and lonely (please tell me there are others out there in this world who feel the same so I don't feel so pathetic). Okay, let me say it in a way that sounds more doable to my ears (and those in the health nut wannabe's club ears)-Recondition your body to have them in moderation. How about that? Sounds better, don't you think? Apparently,when it comes to cravings, it is like a wave-the urge goes up, it crests, then it goes back down. The trick, then, is to surf the craving crest and get past it. Do things that distract you from thoughts of eating. If you normally go to the convenience store and get Laffy Taffy and chocolate in the morning then instead pick up the phone and call a friend, go for a walk, read my blog, whatever it takes (within reason). ref-Whole Foods Market March/April issue.

Good luck!

34 comments:

  1. I thought that chocolate was an essential food group! Especially the good for you dark stuff!


    Hope you work through whatever is getting to you! Hang in there, girl.

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  2. Noooo! Cut back on my diet coke? Paging Dr.Drew....

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  3. It's good to have a decadent indulgence with one's favorite food once and a while...I think most slim fit people do it.

    Diet Pepsi seems to be a real problem with some people...Is it some kind of phenomenon...I hear about this diet pepsi addiction often.

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  4. Hi Heidi,
    I hope everything is ok with you.

    My problem is seeing it. I tell myself I don't really need that cookie and I see it and then I blow it sometimes. Shame on me. I hope you enjoy your vacation next week and thank you for thinking of me. Happy Halloween! :-)

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  5. I totally understand the horrible thoughts of never having the junk food! But yes I am trying not to have them as much too. Since I think I am setting myself up for an unhealthy life in the future! Good luck :)

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  6. You are on a fantastic journey, our challenges strengthen our foundation. Thank you for sharing...have a fantastic weekend!

    Check this link out:

    http://tinyurl.com/5wzya6

    Thoughts?

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  7. I bought 3 huge bags of candy on Wednesday. I refused to even open the bags. Then, this morning, I opened them to put them in a bowl by the front door, I had to prepare you know! Well, somehow, those Almond Joys fell out. It would have been very easy to put them back in the bowl and walk away. But, do you know how good Almond Joys are with a hot cup of coffee?!

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  8. This is one of my biggest struggles. I get massive cravings, and like you described, skipping a meal makes me voraciously hungry.

    These are great tips! Thank you :)

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  9. great suggestions for those food cravings. That Halloween candy is quite the temptation and Snickers - my all time favorite candy bar.
    By the way I've given you an award because I enjoy your blog so much - you can pick it up at http://blog.werelivingwell.com

    Happy Halloween!
    Chris

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  10. I think it's OK to indulge in our favourite unhealthy food once in a while. But definitely not everyday! I don't believe in depriving ourselves. Just control our intake and eat in moderation. That's how life should be! : )

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  11. Once I tell myself I can't have something or that I'm on a diet, my body hears "deprivation" and craves things that I wouldn't normally crave. Therefore, I'm working on moderation because it seems to be better for me - if only mentally.

    I hope you are feeling better though. Have a Happy Halloween!

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  12. Hey Heidi, all looks well. I haven't been here for some time. You don't disappoint, keep pressing on! I'm glad to see your site is doing well. :) I'll be sure to swing by again. Cheers.

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  13. Sometimes you just gotta indulge in the chocolate. Peace :-)

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  14. AWWWWW Heidi! I had a bad day yesterday,too. I ended up drinking three glasses of wine! LOL That kept me out of the Halloween candy, but I don't know which is the worse of two evils!

    People get the best of me all of the time. Stay as sweet as you are and remember it's them NOT YOU!

    Happy Halloween! Hope today is great for you and your babies (fur and human)!

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  15. Happy Halloween!

    It's a special day, So I want knock your door and ask: Trick or Treat! :D

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  16. Oh you have to have a little "sin" every once in while, food is a gift to be enjoyed!
    You sound like you're pretty aware of your body, I wouldn't go too hard on yourself, even if you did *hypothetically* eat an entire bag of those lil suckers.

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  17. " What would life be like without the occasional pizza, the brownies, cookies, chocolate and of course the highly revered by me Diet Pepsi craving??? "

    ---- i think it is okay for me as long as I do not see them at all, not even in pictures in magazines, computers or TV, otherwise, the sight reminds me I just have to have one :(

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  18. i'm one of those giving into cravings rationalizers. i can offer you 101 reasons why i gave in with each incident. now, i'll have to ponder your approach. maybe then, i will no longer have to come up with so many excuses...

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  19. Chocolate.Always.Wins. ::Sighs::

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  20. Hmmm. Chocolate. I'm glad the kids dropped my house last night to help me out. Otherwise, I'd be feeling guilty right about now. Your blog is a big help too. Every blue moon I'll have a breakdown and lose all my senses!

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  21. hhhmmmm my first try of comment was not successfully done..my connection again!:( :-)

    anyway, i vanished the thought and actions of diet when i knew that my body would only crave the food needed my body.how is that?heheh i eat regular meals on a small amount didn't deprived the huge meal. i can't remember snacks day and night! wondering how still my bloated tummy bothering me.mmmm...must the food i intake?


    Happy Halloween Heidi!:)

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  22. You don't really lose a battle with chocolate...It's a Win Win kinda thing

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  23. Hey healthnut sorry i havent been around - just got back from the Big Island of Hawaii!

    Wow that last step..... very bold indeed. very good stuff - my next step is eating at more regular intervals.

    Jesse

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  24. Chocolate will definitely test your willpower. I had a mini bag of peanut M&Ms yesterday. I'm glad I didn't get my hands on any Reeces cup or it would have been ugly.

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  25. nice blog u have in here, I liked your blog, it is great you are a vegetarian and I am a vegetarian too since when I was born and it is hard for me to eat meat and I will always be a vegetarian since mostly of the meat makes me want to puke:), I am glad that my parents raised me as vg as makes me feel healthier:), k take care and have a wonderful weekend to u!

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  26. hi, I have an award for you. Pls collect at my blog here

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  27. I've never heard of Hershey's chocolate bars - what do they consist of?
    As wheat doesn't work for me - most chocolate bars are not an option for me but I do love the rich dark chocolate bars and if I'm feeling particularly naughty and really want something really, really sweet then I enjoy Cadbury's Dairy Milk which are nice eithr chewed for a quick fix or sucked slowly and sweetly savoured.

    It's a good job that chocolate contains quite a fair bit of goodness in it at least then you can enjoy a bit without feeling totally guilty! Chocolate bars with either almonds or hazelnuts are supposed to be especially good ... that's lucky for ladies especially as we are most likely to be the chocoholics in the family.

    I have recently started to eat cooked pumkins and one I came across acted as a thickener in a soup (I have tried that many varieties lately that I can't remember which one it was). I particularly like a little butternut squash raw ... I have not yet tried roasting the seeds which I am advised are deliciously nutty!

    Anyway, Heidi - never feel guilty about enjoying something you like - life is very short and it is a waste if you feel guilty for eating something that you have savoured and enjoyed - just pick out the good points - all of the minerals and anti-oxidants that are replenishing your bodies needs!

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  28. You feel better about yourself when 'all' you are eating are the mini chocolate candy bars...

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  29. Got to agree - mini meals help so much. On the cravings front I honestly don't get them that much. However, I do like to treat myself to the occassional piece of junk food.

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  30. What a great a great tips again. My big problem is #1. I also get fat/heavier if my PMS is coming. I tend to eat junk foods and salty foods.

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  31. I tell myself not to stock up on chocolates and other confectioneries but with a 3 year old son, it is hard!! You just can't keep lollies, chocolates and chips away from a kid and when you see him eating away, you too would be tempted to indulge. That's is my problem now. Sigh!

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  32. As long as you stick to your healthy diet rules for most of the time the odd indulgences won't hurt you - the 80/20 rule is a good one to follow.

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  33. I'd seriously like to know how to give up Diet Pepsi. It's my morning cold caffeine.

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  34. great advice! i am eating pistacio nuts now while i blog. it helps those cravings.

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