Ten Ways to Beat Diet Cravings, For Good!

Dieters know that one of the toughest parts of sticking to your weight-loss plan is giving up certain types of foods. After all, you can’t lose serious weight if you consistently indulge in brownies and French fries, even if you do work out regularly.

The best way to achieve success in a long-term battle with food and overindulgence is to allow yourself small, periodic servings of the few favorite foods you can’t live without. This system will help you stick to your diet longer, since you won’t be depriving your body of everything it craves.

Here are 10 other ways to beat diet cravings and still lose weight.

10 Craving-Busters

1. Chew gum. When you’re in the mood to eat just for eating’s sake, chew gum. You’ll get a burst of sweetness and the sensation of chewing, but without all the calories and fat.
2. Drink mint tea. Mint tea may help act as a gentle appetite suppressant and keep you from munching on late night snacks.
3. Drink less alcohol. Alcohol lowers your inhibitions, including the ones that keep you on track when dieting. Drinking less alcohol also lowers your calorie intake.
4. Go to bed earlier. Stop eating snacks late at night by going to bed a little earlier.
5. Crunch on carrot sticks. Opt for healthier options that give you a similar sensory experience as the junk foods that you crave. For example, crunch on carrot sticks when you crave chips.
6. Make your snacks fruit- or veggie-based. Add just a tiny bit of the good stuff (like salsa or chocolate syrup) on top, but keep the majority of your snack healthy.
7. Get enough sleep. Studies have shown that poor sleeping habits and not getting enough sleep result in overeating and making unhealthy eating choices.
8. Don’t buy the “bad” foods. If you know that you’re powerless against ice cream, don’t keep it in your house.
9. Learn to crave the right foods. As soon as you get hungry, start imagining the healthy meal you’ll prepare when you get home, instead of the greasy pizza that dwells in your imagination. You’ll start to look forward to whatever it is you’ve built up in your head, even if it’s a veggie dish.
10. Understand what your cravings mean. Cravings are your body’s way of telling you that you need something, but it doesn’t mean you have to overindulge. If you’re craving chocolate cake, try sampling a couple of strawberries and see if your stomach calms down after getting a little sugar.

Try putting some of these tips to use when your next diet craving kicks in, and you'll be surprised at how easily you can overcome those pesky little goal-blockers!

This post was contributed by Kathleen Baker, who writes about nursing schools. She welcomes your feedback at KathleenBaker3212 at gmail.com

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