Let’s Talk About Cravings

Picture this: you’re walking outside on a sunny spring day, minding your own business, when suddenly you’re overcome with a strong desire and compulsion to drive down to the bakery and get that cupcake you had on a day like this one a year ago. This intense desire for a certain food or flavor is known as a craving.

We’ve all dealt with cravings at some point in our life. They tend to come on suddenly, and the desire for them can be so overwhelming we practically salivate at the mouth over them. Whether it be from menstrual cycle, an imbalance of hormones, emotions, or totally random, we all know what it’s like to experience a sudden need or want for something seemingly out of nowhere.

Although cravings can be a bit annoying, they’re totally normal. Thankfully, there are some tips and tricks to cope. Keep on reading to learn what causes cravings, and 5 hacks to help deal with and curb them.

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Let’s talk about cravings…

What causes cravings?

Our brain is an extremely powerful thing. It’s the organ that’s responsible for storing memories, which means that if those memories are triggered—by a certain smell, feeling, or even environment—cravings can come out. Additionally, seeing food (like on a commercial) can cause cravings as well.

An imbalance of hormones—like serotonin—and fluctuations in hormones over the course of a menstrual cycle can also bring on cravings as well. Emotions can also be a contributing factor, and people who are experiencing high levels of anxiety or stress may tend to feel stronger cravings.

Hacks to help deal with and curb cravings:

Although the desire for and compulsive need to give in to certain foods or flavors may feel extremely overwhelming, it can be managed and dealt with properly with care.

1. Don’t give into cravings when they hit

Instead of giving into your craving the second it pops up, wait a little bit. This will help dissipate that overwhelming, compulsive need, and will help you avoid overeating. There’s no set timeframe for how long you should wait, but just be patient with yourself and steer your mind towards other outlets.

2. Create a healthy relationship with food

Living a well-rounded and balanced life is key to creating a healthy relationship with food. Instead of looking at certain foods as “good” or “bad,” start looking at them simply for what they are—food. Food is a nutrient, and depriving yourself 24/7 is only going to make your cravings and compulsion to give into them even stronger.

Creating a healthy relationship with food will also stop you from putting “bad” food on a pedestal or something that you get as a reward for an accomplishment, which in turn will help deal with and curb cravings and create healthier habits all around.

3. Keep healthy snacks and alternatives around

Look for healthy snacks and alternatives that you can keep in your home and enjoy. Luckily, there are so many healthy snack options available, whether it be cauliflower puffs (substitute for Cheetos!), or granola with a little bit of dark chocolate, having something that’s satisfying to turn to will be helpful. Some other healthy snacks and alternatives include:

• Dark chocolate
• Unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• Fruit
• Plant-based pastas, like chickpea mac n cheese or red lentil
• Take healthier options for cereal—like plain Cheerios—and sprinkle in a little artificial sweetener on top of your bowl
• 1 scoop of peanut butter

4. Voice your cravings out loud

This one may sound silly, but it really works. Saying something as simple as: “I really want a cupcake right now” will help release the hold a craving has on you. Voicing your cravings out loud will allow you to let go and stop thinking about them, which in turn may help them dissipate.

5. Use moderation

At the end of the day, it’s all about moderation. If you’re not dieting for a specific event, allowing yourself to have treats every once in a while will help minimize cravings and allow you to deal with them better. If you’re out to dinner or there’s a special occasion, give yourself permission to indulge a bit (if you can medically); a little treat is not the end of the world.

I’m personally a huge proponent of this: I let myself have up to four cookies or one dessert every day if I want. In turn, my cravings usually tend to be smaller and less frequent, and I don’t overindulge or overeat during the times I do have treats. I have a sweet tooth, and I don’t believe that depriving myself of sweets is going to help anything at all; if anything, it’ll only stress me out more because I’ll be dying for something to satisfy it and then feel guilty for wanting it.

In conclusion…

Experiencing cravings or giving in to them occasionally is totally normal. Getting plenty of sleep, drinking enough water, and doing everything moderation can help you better deal with and curb cravings. Look for healthy alternatives to the types of foods you tend to crave and keep some around for yourself.

At the end of the day, we all deal with cravings, and we need to give into them from time-to-time; the best thing you can do for yourself is work on developing a healthy relationship with food. However, if you are tempted to or give in to cravings, remember that it is not the end of the world. This is something everyone experiences.

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DISCLAIMER:

The information in this article is intended for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical or professional advice. Always consult a physician or any other professional health care provider regarding any health or wellness questions you may have, and before beginning or trying a new health, lifestyle, or wellness regimen.

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