Cravings Are Uncontrollable

JLEE911

snacking is my worst enemy. I seem to want to snack on the unhealthy foods even if there are healthier options available. If I get a craving for something like a chocolate bar and I try and substitute something else forget it it's like I am not satisfied until I get the chocolate bar. Then I wind up eating a whole bunch of extra food to rid myself of the craving and end up eating more calories than if I had just given in and eaten the chocolate bar in the first place. Any advice?

marycatherine000

Eat the chocolate bar?

dt3312

This book really helped me a lot: Breaking Free from Emotional Eating by Geneen Roth. I used to go through what you describe and following the guidelines in this book helped me understand my behavior and how to change it.

JLEE911

Thank You

jason_adams

Distraction! Focusing on what I'm craving when I'm craving it is a recipe for me giving into it. Getting involved in something else usually is enough to break that "need" feeling.

I've also had luck with a partial response to a craving - the set up. In University when I was on a cutting (weight loss) cycle, I would often crave potato chips. I'd go to the store across the street, buy a small bag of chips and put it on my dresser. Then I'd study for a certain amount of time or pages. Usually by the time I reached that study goal, I didn't care about the chips any more. If I still wanted them, I ate them.

Recently I did a similar thing. I was "too hungry to resist any more!", and made myself a plate of cheese and crackers. Then I went upstairs, put some laundry away and came back down to do some work at my computer. Before I settled into work, I put the cheese and crackers away as I didn't want them anymore.