How do you get rid of cravings?

I work those into my calorie budget for the day. If I don't allow myself to give in a little to the cravings, I'm afraid that I would blow it entirely. So figure out what you are craving the most (for me it's ALWAYS something with chocolate) and work it in.

Yep-if you are craving it, put it into your cals and eat it. Just use portion control. Having a craving for potato chips is NOT license to eat a whole 1 lb bag of them!

Like the others have pretty much said, you're not going to get rid of your cravings. You have to learn how to manage them.

And try and use them as a motivational tool! Really craving that fun size snickers? no no no, can't have it until after you've walked for half an hour. Want that extra beer? Not until you've stayed under your calories for 3 days in a row. Do you really need that regular ice cream? No, the TCBY frozen yogurt tastes just as good!

Also try and replace your sweet tooth with other things as well like fruits and flavored waters. Will help with the short term. Just dont cut them out completely unless you KNOW you can. Otherwise you're going to binge on them.

Either have a little of what you fancy each day, and work it into your calories OR hold off during the week and allow one weekend day where you let yourself have a little of the things you craved during the week and do a good workout.

Alternatively, find healthier options that might satisfy, such as some nuts and dried fruit for the sweet stuff, or a diet hot chocolate, or a chocolate mousse stuck in the freezer and you can make your own crisps doing kale chips - recipe should be easy to find online - or grab some rice cakes instead.

Cravings are a result of hunger. So get un-hungry, i.e., eat.

I chug a bunch of water

I think cravings for certain foods, especially sweets, come from a need to feel a little high...sugars have the ability to temporarily lift you up by increasing the serotonin in the brain. Unfortunately, it's too temporary and has bad effects on insulin and fat storage,,etc.

Another way to beat cravings without bad effects is to increase protein intake and teach yourself that this would make for a healthier person, inside and out.

There is alot of cool research and info out there on the net on this subject. Make it your new hobby to get some good info.

Most folks are just gonna tell you to chew gum or drink water. I say education is POWER! Go for it!

I just try to distract myself

I think how you deal with cravings depends on what effect indulging has on you, and on what your goals are.

For me, my overriding goal is to return to being vibrantly well after years of illness, which has given me a lot of belly fat. To meet that goal, I really need to control my sugar and carbs, and eat as nutrient-dense as I can. So for me, I choose not to keep sugary treats in the house, and I am really settling in to eating a whole foods, carb-controlled, sugar-free diet. I focus more on what I want to get more of---like colorful veggies---than on what I should have---like cookies and white bread, etc.

Also, I have times where I can't stop, so it's best for me to not have my trigger foods in the house, since I don't want to set myself up for a binge. I will allow myself a treat, but it's usually for a special occasion, out at a restaurant, and rarely.

However, if your health permits it, and you aren't a binger, I don't see why you couldn't indulge if it's a controllable thing for you.

Since it isn't for me, I find I do best without the things that trigger cravings. What helps me a lot is following principles of the paleo/primal diets. It REALLY does away with cravings!

My biggest challenge is evening, when I watch TV. I've found that a cup of a naturally sweet herbal tea does the trick for me then. If I'm hungry, I'll eat some almonds. They really take the edge off in a big way. The other trick I have is to mix a TB. of high quality coconut oil with a TB. of good cocoa powder until it's smooth and creamy, and just eat it off the spoon. Coconut oil is a healthful fat and cocoa is full of antioxidants! It satisfies my chocolate need without triggering me for a binge. I CAN only eat one (spoonful).

Good luck!
Susie

Stop eating the things you crave. Eliminate them from your diet entirely, yeah I said it.

The more you eat them, the more your body wants. They're like poison, empty nutrient-void foods that trick the brain into wanting more & more. Get rid of them. Eat nutrient-rich foods instead, things that will actually satisfy your body's needs. Once the crap is out of your system & you've replaced them with beneficial foods, your body & mind will thank you, and the cravings will be a thing of the past.