Tips for easing cravings

veggie16mfp

Hi everyone,
I'm back on mfp again (this is my third attempt) and need to loose 100lbs. I have given myself a time frame of 18 - 24 months to do so. Taking the slow & steady approach. My downfall the last couple of times were cravings for chips (proper chipper chips, oh god My mouths watering!).

So has anyone tips on how to avoid / ignore cravings?

lauracups

Advice from someone who finally lost, still loosing and keeping it off...drop the deadline first and foremost. Setting an arbitrary time line can fuel expectations, an expectation is a resentment waiting to happen. Work with and around the cravings , one day one meal one craving at a time and log it all. If you can't exercise portion control of a particular item don't have it in the house. If you do splurge get back track on the next meal. I find tea or one piece of hard candy does wonders for cravings and if I'm still hungry, I go to bed.
Good luck.

laur357

I try to work my favorites in regularly. I also came up with some workable substitutes that are pretty tasty when I can't quite fit it in. I agree with @lauracups - deadlines aren't always a great idea, though yours is very reasonable. I prefer to stick with a modest deficit, lose a little more slowly, take some maintenance breaks, and have plenty of room to fit in a variety of foods.

Pizza. I eat it probably once a week or two. I also make tiny pizzas on whole wheat pita with lots of vegetables to tide me over until my next regular pizza meal.

For chips, you could make them with fewer calories at home half the time and order them full on the other half of the time if you find they aren't fitting into your daily goals very often. (I make very thin julienned potatoes, toss in a little olive oil and salt, and cook at high heat in the oven - not the same as deep frying, but still pretty tasty. Also saves some calories for a little heavier dip or garlic, herb, & parmesan topping!)

Also, sometimes cravings are just due to boredom. Do you have a hobby to keep you busy? Have you paid attention to certain times or situations when cravings hit you? It could be more of a 'habit' than hunger, and changing your routine a bit might make them more manageable.

lizmarshall1970

I find my 'cravings' can be dealt with by taking a quick walk (a proper speedy hustle) round the block & then settle back with a cup of hot water with a slice of lemon, a slice of root ginger & a splash of honey. Seems to re-set my head somehow & I'm over the 'need cake/chips/whatever' thing.

ashjongfit

Drop the deadline!

I make sure my calorie budget is large enough to add in treats as I want them. I found though that after a month of not really wanting the things I used to my cravings aren't as bad. Most of the time if I'm craving chips its because its the weekend or I'm upset about something.

Dano74

I'd echo the comments about demonizing foods-- if you crave chips... eat them. Just make sure they're in your calorie allotment for the day.

vingogly

Oven baked fries/chips:

http://www.layersofhappiness.com/extra-crispy-oven-baked-french-fries

I haven't tried this recipe, but I'm curious to do so. Don't know if you have access to jicama. The microwave part seems to be important - when I've tried cooking jicama before it's stayed crunchy like a half-baked potato:

http://healthyrecipesblogs.com/2014/06/18/jicama-fries

Like others have said, I work treats into my calorie "budget".

kimirayray

I drink something - like tea or seltzer or coffee. But when I want to indulge it always seems to be at a time when I have no more calories left for the day. I do it anyway in a small portion and track it. Just by tracking it for me anyway it makes me more aware and more confident to not do it so much. But I think we all should do it once in a while. I tell myself I get one day if I choose to go over and it's easier to stick to that way. Good luck!

Ploofs

I recommend measuring out a portion instead of grabbing the whole baggy. That way you know how much you could eat . If it's a constant struggle, try adjusting your calories so you could fit more of these snacks in later on.

When I need to avoid them. I just do something distracting (watch Netflix, play some games). I tend to forget my cravings after getting into these things.

TeaBea

veggie16mfp wrote: »

Hi everyone,
I'm back on mfp again (this is my third attempt) and need to lose 100lbs. I have given myself a time frame of 18 - 24 months to do so. Taking the slow & steady approach. My downfall the last couple of times were cravings for chips (proper chipper chips, oh god My mouths watering!).

So has anyone tips on how to avoid / ignore cravings?

Only works for awhile. But then when I get to goal will I have to avoid/ignore cravings for a lifetime? I need to eliminate forever or manage forever......I choose to manage my cravings.

That means I allow myself a treat everyday. I measure & account for that treat. Is there a single serving size bag of your chips available? If you can't keep it in the house (for now) can you go out and have this treat from time-to-time?

My craving is typically chocolate...single serve chocolate squares are my go to.

Re: Chipper Chips (french fries). My favorite fast food fries are Culver's. So when I go to Culver's (not often) I treat myself to fries. When I go to other fast food places, I skip the fries. I agree with bake your own responses. I cut a whole potato, add a bit of oil & sprinkle on lots of seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika) bake in a hot oven & yum.

nowine4me

I disagree on deadlines, I find them helpful. But that's my Type A personality. I would, however, make a series of smaller goals that are achievable along the way so you can track progress (ie. lose 10 pounds by the end of the year). Also, the MOST important goal is to educate yourself about eating and nutrition to set yourself up for a lifetime of good habits.

As it relates to chippers -- I'm not sure what that is (french fries, potato chips), but is it REALLY the salt, the crunch, the taste? Once you know that, it's easier to make satisfying lower-calorie substitutions.