How to Manage Cravings

Most Americans deal with cravings, they are very common and you are not alone! One simple way to manage those cravings is to think of a few relevant questions. Your answers may help you get to the root cause of why you are getting the cravings.

• What time of day do you have your cravings?

Does that time of day correlate to a mealtime you may have skipped or a mealtime that was unbalanced? Think about the time of day you have the cravings. Keeping a journal or mental note of when you are getting your cravings compared to what you ate earlier that day can help you with management.

• What are you consuming?

Are you eating enough filling foods during your meals? The gut plays a big role in so many aspects of your life and health. A healthy range of microbes in your gut may help prevent certain cravings.

• How do you handle your munchies or cravings?

If it is late evening, could you drink a hot bedtime tea? Would that settle your craving? If it is mid-morning and you are late to a meeting, could you grab a healthy veggie snack? Would that hold you over until lunch? Are you eating enough filling foods during your meals? That can help with your cravings too.

• Are you drinking enough water throughout the day?

Sometimes a nervous habit can make you want to eat or drink often. The average American is not drinking enough water. Are you drinking enough water? Would drinking a cold glass of water fill you up enough to stave off that craving?

• Are you stressed?

Eating when you are stressed can produce a calming effect, especially when eating carbohydrates. Your hormone serotonin can help alleviate stress and this hormone is secreted while eating carbohydrates. Now that you know carbohydrates may be a solution to anxiety, think of why you are anxious. Think of ways to prevent yourself from becoming too anxious. Calming and relaxing techniques can naturally boost your serotonin instead of relying on those carbs to do the same trick.