What’s new with you?
I’m enjoying the nice weather while we have it around here. It seems like you need to keep every season’s clothing and jackets out anymore. One day, it’s 70 degrees out, then the next day, it’s 40 degrees! I like to be able to get out enough so I don’t get stir crazy and start craving something to ease my mood. My craving mainly consist of chocolate. I try to keep it as healthy as possible such as my Chocolate Avocado Mousse. But sometimes, a frosted chocolate donut calls my name and it’s so hard to resist!
We all know what we “should” and “shouldn’t” eat. But, when cravings start to call, willpower seems to go right out the window. Cravings are incredibly powerful! They can sabotage our goals and leave us feeling bad afterwards for giving in.
1. Eat sweet vegetables
According to the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, sweet vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, beets and onions have an energetically grounding, that helps to curve your cravings for sweet food. Add a baked sweet potato with cinnamon and butter to your meal. Here is a recipe I use all the time-yum!
2. Exercise
According to a study from the University of Wyoming, cardio exercise decreases appetites. In the study, a group of women engaged in active exercise and after the workout, they were given the opportunity to feast at an enormous buffet. On alternate days, instead of exercising, they sat quietly for an hour before going to the buffet. I’m sure you would assume those would be the starving days, however, the researchers found that when they worked out, their appetite went down. The secret was in the hormones! The hormone ghrelin releases in the body and tells the other hormones to control satiety.
3. Drink lots of water
I use this a lot and it really works! Simply “drown” your cravings. Drinking water sends the body signals that you’re filling up and don’t need to take in more food. The key to doing this is to prevent the craving by staying hydrated throughout the day.
Extra tip: Don’t consume a lot of water all at once since it can actually cause more elasticity in the stomach, thus creating a craving later.
4. Eat breakfast. If you are missing breakfast, then you’re probably experiencing cravings throughout the day. Make sure the breakfast you are eating is the right kind as well. Tip: Include a serving of lean protein with your breakfast to keep the body satisfied longer.
5. Chew gum. Sometimes, a craving is just a need to do something with your mouth. At the University of Rhode Island, researchers did a study on the effects of chewing gum to cut cravings. Subjects were told to chew gum for at least an hour in the morning. Those who did ate less at lunchtime. The chewing motion has neurological effects that signal the brain that you are eating, so the brain tells the ghrelin hormone to back off.
Try these better snacking solutions:
- Nuts: A handful of nuts, or a spoonful of nut butter gives your body a dose of oleic acid, which decreases the craving level. a healthy form of fat that can quickly decrease the craving level.
- Avocados: Getting in a daily avocado is the perfect way to introduce a whole medley of nutrients. Plus, it gives the smackdown to screaming demands for food.
- Grapefruit: Grapefruit tends to put a stop a ravenous appetite. Researchers found that grapefruit helps weight loss, perhaps by reducing insulin levels.
The appetite is a powerful force, But instead of giving in, try one of these 5 methods to help crush that craving!
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