Control Your Cravings

I just read an article in the July 2006 issue of Reader’s Digest magazine titled “10 Ways to Control Your Cravings”. Great stuff!

1) Avoid your triggers. According to research, you crave what you eat, so if you switch what you’re eating, you can weaking your old

I just read an article in the July 2006 issue of Reader’s Digest magazine titled “10 Ways to Control Your Cravings”. Great stuff!

1) Avoid your triggers. According to research, you crave what you eat, so if you switch what you’re eating, you can weaking your old cravings and strengthen new ones.

2) Destroy temptation. If you’ve succumbed to a craving and bought a box of cookies or some other trigger food, don’t just throw them away. Ruin it by running water over it.

3) Go nuts. Drink two glasses of water and an ounce of nuts (6 walnuts, 12 almonds, or 20 peanuts). Within 20 minutes, your appetite will be curbed.

4) Jolt with Java. Try sipping a skim latte instead of that chocolate candy bar. The warm richness and ritual can distract you.

5) Let it go. Since stress is such a trigger for emotional eating, learn ways to deal with it.

6) Take a power nap. Cravings sneak up when you’re tired.

7) Get minty fresh. Brush your teeth.

Distract yourself. If only ice cream will do, it’s a craving not hunger. Recognize that and divert your mind by calling a friend, listening to music, meditate or exercise.

9) Indulge yourself, within limits. Once in a while, it’s okay to have that ice cream, but buy the smallest size,

10) Plan or avoid. Vary your usual routine to avoid passing by the pakery or pizzaria. IF you know you’ll be face to face with a birthday cake, plan ahead for those calories.

Read full article at RD.COM.