How do you fight off cravings?
honorthecolors
Posts: 33 Member
Cravings have the potential of setting back your success but not by much; its mostly mental. I did research for a year on health and fitness. I am not a expert by any means. I am not a doctor or a nutritionist either. To put into a nut shell, when we put a yummy candy bar into our mouth and you know it will taste good something happens in your brains. There is a signal that goes to your brain that is translated into, "yum, may I please have more". I don't think our bodies care where the nutrients comes from as long as you put nutrients into your body is what counts. I have experience in this department so its not all regurgitated information from the internet.
The first thing I did to combat cravings was to admit to myself there was a problem. Second, I need to "want" to change. I reason had to greater than my why. Second, I found healthy replacements for the candy bar for example, a sliced apple or orange. I actually eat one sliced apple and orange a day a few hours apart. Some might ask about the sugar content but there's more to this. The fruit contain fiber and fructose which is not good for us in large amounts but the fiber helps keep us full longer than a candy bar and we will satisfy the need for sugar. Today, I am actually disgusted by the sight to candy.
So in conclusion, I hope some of you weren't expecting a catch all cure or method to help combat cravings. There needs to be a replacement and there needs to be a plan in place. Most of my meals are planned and their simple and small. I eat about 10 times a day. I constantly stay fed so my cravings really don't happen at all. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
The first thing I did to combat cravings was to admit to myself there was a problem. Second, I need to "want" to change. I reason had to greater than my why. Second, I found healthy replacements for the candy bar for example, a sliced apple or orange. I actually eat one sliced apple and orange a day a few hours apart. Some might ask about the sugar content but there's more to this. The fruit contain fiber and fructose which is not good for us in large amounts but the fiber helps keep us full longer than a candy bar and we will satisfy the need for sugar. Today, I am actually disgusted by the sight to candy.
So in conclusion, I hope some of you weren't expecting a catch all cure or method to help combat cravings. There needs to be a replacement and there needs to be a plan in place. Most of my meals are planned and their simple and small. I eat about 10 times a day. I constantly stay fed so my cravings really don't happen at all. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
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Replies
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1) Cravings are natural and do not need to be "a problem"
2) Food is neither "healthy" or not.
3)Why can't candy bars be incorporated into a balanced diet?
4) Why do you feel the need to eat 10 times a day?18 -
I don't focus on "combatting" inclinations anymore. If I have to struggle to be healthy, I'll lose. I have found adjusting my habits, environment and attitudes, a good strategy. Stocking up on real foods and leaving "trigger" food in the store - means reserving those foods for special occasions and "appropriate" settings. That way I can follow my cravings/instincts without hurting myself. I also let myself become decently hungry and eat regular meals of foods I enjoy.9
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For me, if I'm craving something there's a reason for it. I may not know it, but my body does. I eat what I'm craving, just not the amount I want. When I want chocolate, a pear isn't going to do it.13
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For me, if I'm craving something there's a reason for it. I may not know it, but my body does. I eat what I'm craving, just not the amount I want. When I want chocolate, a pear isn't going to do it.
So true, I'd end up eating the pear; then the chocolate. In fact I'd then binge on, other foods after because I felt deprived & while the chocolate'd of satisfied, my craving but it wouldn't have; my deprivation induced panic.5 -
trigden1991 wrote: »1) Cravings are natural and do not need to be "a problem"
2) Food is neither "healthy" or not.
3)Why can't candy bars be incorporated into a balanced diet?
4) Why do you feel the need to eat 10 times a day?
That #2 can confuse alot of newbies if not elaborated on.2 -
BodyzLanguage wrote: »trigden1991 wrote: »1) Cravings are natural and do not need to be "a problem"
2) Food is neither "healthy" or not.
3)Why can't candy bars be incorporated into a balanced diet?
4) Why do you feel the need to eat 10 times a day?
That #2 can confuse alot of newbies if not elaborated on.
I agree if someone is allergic to something, it definitely isn't healthy; for them!1 -
I wouldn't recommend suppressing your cravings for eternity. Where's the fun in that? However if you crave donuts multiple times you day you can't exactly pander to every craving can you. You have to strike a balance between the two without it impeding your goals or nutrition. That balance is different for everyone. And when people on here say they eat what they want it doesn't mean what you think it means. Rather it means they actually eat "clean" for 80% of the day and fill in the rest with whatever they desire.5
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Well, the longer I keep from eating sugar, the easier it gets. For me it it takes about 3-4 weeks of no-sweets to reduce it to a level, where its hardly a problem that I don't buy any sweets any longer. I did that back in April, and it kept until my summer vacation, and even cut summer excesses pretty far down. Wit the summer over, I have returned effortlessly to a no-sweets lifestyle.
I tend to buy berries instead, or owenroast red peppers. That is enough.
5 -
kommodevaran wrote: »I don't focus on "combatting" inclinations anymore. If I have to struggle to be healthy, I'll lose. I have found adjusting my habits, environment and attitudes, a good strategy. Stocking up on real foods and leaving "trigger" food in the store - means reserving those foods for special occasions and "appropriate" settings. That way I can follow my cravings/instincts without hurting myself. I also let myself become decently hungry and eat regular meals of foods I enjoy.
Pretty much this for me.1 -
BodyzLanguage wrote: »I wouldn't recommend suppressing your cravings for eternity. Where's the fun in that? However if you crave donuts multiple times you day you can't exactly pander to every craving can you. You have to strike a balance between the two without it impeding your goals or nutrition. That balance is different for everyone. And when people on here say they eat what they want it doesn't mean what you think it means. Rather it means they actually eat "clean" for 80% of the day and fill in the rest with whatever they desire.
Although I've come to actually desire, my "clean" eating; especially if it's expensive because then, it has to be; a treat!1 -
FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »I wouldn't recommend suppressing your cravings for eternity. Where's the fun in that? However if you crave donuts multiple times you day you can't exactly pander to every craving can you. You have to strike a balance between the two without it impeding your goals or nutrition. That balance is different for everyone. And when people on here say they eat what they want it doesn't mean what you think it means. Rather it means they actually eat "clean" for 80% of the day and fill in the rest with whatever they desire.
Although I've come to actually desire, my "clean" eating; especially if it's expensive because then, it has to be; a treat!
I hope you do otherwise you'll be unhappy for the majority of the day lol. It's easy to desire well cooked homemade food. At least I do.1 -
Well, the longer I keep from eating sugar, the easier it gets. For me it it takes about 3-4 weeks of no-sweets to reduce it to a level, where its hardly a problem that I don't buy any sweets any longer. I did that back in April, and it kept until my summer vacation, and even cut summer excesses pretty far down. Wit the summer over, I have returned effortlessly to a no-sweets lifestyle.
I tend to buy berries instead, or owenroast red peppers. That is enough.
Well as a man, you don't have a menstrual cycle; so this might be an easy choice for men but as a woman, before/during mine; it's been mostly impossible to curtail.1 -
I am having a painful wave of cravings as I write this.
What this tells me is that my body is shifting into fat burning mode. Instead of eating, I am about to go HIIT Training followed by a planned, nutritious breakfast a few hours later.
I expect this now.
Once I began seeing results of fat loss over time, my view of cravings changed. That's just my brain activating the GIVE ME SUGAR hormone.
NOPE!
It's harder work for the body to break down fat to use for energy, but that's what is going to happen. If I were to rush off to the kitchen for a bagel smeared with jam, my progress for today is stifled.
My attitude toward cravings is the same as the pain of resistance training when you're on those final reps....or that pain in the middle of a run where you want to quit.
NO PAIN - NO GAIN -- never a popular notion, and people would love for somebody to sell an easier, softer way.
If your goals are challenging, there is no path to success without sacrifice and pain, and it is so worth it.
Have A Great Day!8 -
BodyzLanguage wrote: »FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »I wouldn't recommend suppressing your cravings for eternity. Where's the fun in that? However if you crave donuts multiple times you day you can't exactly pander to every craving can you. You have to strike a balance between the two without it impeding your goals or nutrition. That balance is different for everyone. And when people on here say they eat what they want it doesn't mean what you think it means. Rather it means they actually eat "clean" for 80% of the day and fill in the rest with whatever they desire.
Although I've come to actually desire, my "clean" eating; especially if it's expensive because then, it has to be; a treat!
I hope you do otherwise you'll be unhappy for the majority of the day lol. It's easy to desire well cooked homemade food. At least I do.
For the most part I make my own food, typically with fresh produce/lean meats but I don't make my own sushi & I buy filet mignon, with the excess fat trimmed.1 -
FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »I wouldn't recommend suppressing your cravings for eternity. Where's the fun in that? However if you crave donuts multiple times you day you can't exactly pander to every craving can you. You have to strike a balance between the two without it impeding your goals or nutrition. That balance is different for everyone. And when people on here say they eat what they want it doesn't mean what you think it means. Rather it means they actually eat "clean" for 80% of the day and fill in the rest with whatever they desire.
Although I've come to actually desire, my "clean" eating; especially if it's expensive because then, it has to be; a treat!
I hope you do otherwise you'll be unhappy for the majority of the day lol. It's easy to desire well cooked homemade food. At least I do.
For the most part I make my own food, typically with fresh produce/lean meats but I don't make my own sushi & I buy filet mignon, with the excess fat trimmed.
Likewise. I take pride in cooking. I'm awesome at it
. Sushi? 
1 -
BodyzLanguage wrote: »FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »I wouldn't recommend suppressing your cravings for eternity. Where's the fun in that? However if you crave donuts multiple times you day you can't exactly pander to every craving can you. You have to strike a balance between the two without it impeding your goals or nutrition. That balance is different for everyone. And when people on here say they eat what they want it doesn't mean what you think it means. Rather it means they actually eat "clean" for 80% of the day and fill in the rest with whatever they desire.
Although I've come to actually desire, my "clean" eating; especially if it's expensive because then, it has to be; a treat!
I hope you do otherwise you'll be unhappy for the majority of the day lol. It's easy to desire well cooked homemade food. At least I do.
For the most part I make my own food, typically with fresh produce/lean meats but I don't make my own sushi & I buy filet mignon, with the excess fat trimmed.
Likewise. I take pride in cooking. I'm awesome at it. Sushi?
I'd love to be more creative/adventurous with my cooking but my disability, often prevents that; so I don't make many different or gourmet/cultural dishes, therefore I am no chef but what I do make is enjoyable enough, for me.1 -
FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »trigden1991 wrote: »1) Cravings are natural and do not need to be "a problem"
2) Food is neither "healthy" or not.
3)Why can't candy bars be incorporated into a balanced diet?
4) Why do you feel the need to eat 10 times a day?
That #2 can confuse alot of newbies if not elaborated on.
I agree if someone is allergic to something, it definitely isn't healthy; for them!
rule number 2 does not bypass the usage of your brain and common sense....1 -
calories in - calories out! You have cravings? Track them and adjust the rest of your macros accordingly!5
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FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »trigden1991 wrote: »1) Cravings are natural and do not need to be "a problem"
2) Food is neither "healthy" or not.
3)Why can't candy bars be incorporated into a balanced diet?
4) Why do you feel the need to eat 10 times a day?
That #2 can confuse alot of newbies if not elaborated on.
I agree if someone is allergic to something, it definitely isn't healthy; for them!
rule number 2 does not bypass the usage of your brain and common sense....
Unfortunately I've seen, a significant lack; of both!0 -
FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »I wouldn't recommend suppressing your cravings for eternity. Where's the fun in that? However if you crave donuts multiple times you day you can't exactly pander to every craving can you. You have to strike a balance between the two without it impeding your goals or nutrition. That balance is different for everyone. And when people on here say they eat what they want it doesn't mean what you think it means. Rather it means they actually eat "clean" for 80% of the day and fill in the rest with whatever they desire.
Although I've come to actually desire, my "clean" eating; especially if it's expensive because then, it has to be; a treat!
I hope you do otherwise you'll be unhappy for the majority of the day lol. It's easy to desire well cooked homemade food. At least I do.
For the most part I make my own food, typically with fresh produce/lean meats but I don't make my own sushi & I buy filet mignon, with the excess fat trimmed.
Likewise. I take pride in cooking. I'm awesome at it. Sushi?
I'd love to be more creative/adventurous with my cooking but my disability, often prevents that; so I don't make many different or gourmet/cultural dishes, therefore I am no chef but what I do make is enjoyable enough, for me.
And that's all that matters IMO. What's best for you.1 -
BodyzLanguage wrote: »FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »I wouldn't recommend suppressing your cravings for eternity. Where's the fun in that? However if you crave donuts multiple times you day you can't exactly pander to every craving can you. You have to strike a balance between the two without it impeding your goals or nutrition. That balance is different for everyone. And when people on here say they eat what they want it doesn't mean what you think it means. Rather it means they actually eat "clean" for 80% of the day and fill in the rest with whatever they desire.
Although I've come to actually desire, my "clean" eating; especially if it's expensive because then, it has to be; a treat!
I hope you do otherwise you'll be unhappy for the majority of the day lol. It's easy to desire well cooked homemade food. At least I do.
For the most part I make my own food, typically with fresh produce/lean meats but I don't make my own sushi & I buy filet mignon, with the excess fat trimmed.
Likewise. I take pride in cooking. I'm awesome at it. Sushi?
I'd love to be more creative/adventurous with my cooking but my disability, often prevents that; so I don't make many different or gourmet/cultural dishes, therefore I am no chef but what I do make is enjoyable enough, for me.
And that's all that matters IMO. What's best for you.
I approve this message lol!1 -
I have Atkins Indulge items on hand for when I crave something sweet, but normally I crave things like steak-which I found generally means I'm low in iron.
I haven't had many strong cravings, but if I do, I go for it. Then I go work it off on a racquetball court.
Works for me.0 -
FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »I wouldn't recommend suppressing your cravings for eternity. Where's the fun in that? However if you crave donuts multiple times you day you can't exactly pander to every craving can you. You have to strike a balance between the two without it impeding your goals or nutrition. That balance is different for everyone. And when people on here say they eat what they want it doesn't mean what you think it means. Rather it means they actually eat "clean" for 80% of the day and fill in the rest with whatever they desire.
Although I've come to actually desire, my "clean" eating; especially if it's expensive because then, it has to be; a treat!
I hope you do otherwise you'll be unhappy for the majority of the day lol. It's easy to desire well cooked homemade food. At least I do.
For the most part I make my own food, typically with fresh produce/lean meats but I don't make my own sushi & I buy filet mignon, with the excess fat trimmed.
Likewise. I take pride in cooking. I'm awesome at it. Sushi?
I'd love to be more creative/adventurous with my cooking but my disability, often prevents that; so I don't make many different or gourmet/cultural dishes, therefore I am no chef but what I do make is enjoyable enough, for me.
And that's all that matters IMO. What's best for you.
I approve this message lol!
I approve your love of strong straws
1 -
BodyzLanguage wrote: »FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »FridayApril01st2016 wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »I wouldn't recommend suppressing your cravings for eternity. Where's the fun in that? However if you crave donuts multiple times you day you can't exactly pander to every craving can you. You have to strike a balance between the two without it impeding your goals or nutrition. That balance is different for everyone. And when people on here say they eat what they want it doesn't mean what you think it means. Rather it means they actually eat "clean" for 80% of the day and fill in the rest with whatever they desire.
Although I've come to actually desire, my "clean" eating; especially if it's expensive because then, it has to be; a treat!
I hope you do otherwise you'll be unhappy for the majority of the day lol. It's easy to desire well cooked homemade food. At least I do.
For the most part I make my own food, typically with fresh produce/lean meats but I don't make my own sushi & I buy filet mignon, with the excess fat trimmed.
Likewise. I take pride in cooking. I'm awesome at it. Sushi?
I'd love to be more creative/adventurous with my cooking but my disability, often prevents that; so I don't make many different or gourmet/cultural dishes, therefore I am no chef but what I do make is enjoyable enough, for me.
And that's all that matters IMO. What's best for you.
I approve this message lol!
I approve your love of strong straws
Lol!
1 -
I am maintaining now. I really do not have sugar cravings because I stopped eating sugar rich foods. High sugar concentrated foods are addicting...you only want more, the more you eat, the more you want. Sure, I pass the candy section every time I am checking out somewhere, I would love a chocolate candy bar....oh, it would taste so good...but, I let the craving pass because I have something else to do...like pay for the items at the register. I do not keep sugar items in my home especially the ones I would eat out of control....like glazed donuts! Family brings them, my mouth goes crazy, I could eat the entire box if I wanted to. When the donuts are in the house, I have one, then I need to get away from the donuts or put them out of sight. Out of sight, out of mind. Anyway...4
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When I want chocolate, a pear isn't going to do it.
Same here. If I really want chocolate, then I'm having chocolate - the amount I have depends on how many calories I have available for snacks!
But, I have found that as time has gone on I actually want chocolate less than I used to. I've mostly substituted fat-free Fudgsicles for my chocolate treats now - I've been eating those quite regularly recently, but I have periods when I won't have those either and might have a yogurt instead. I never used to be able to last more than a couple of days without chocolate of some kind!
So, I don't deny my cravings when I get them but I do try to limit my portion sizes... and I don't get cravings anywhere near as often as I used to. Amazing how things change. 3 -
Unlimited mustard and pickles. Saurkraut is an acceptable substitute.
You're welcome.1 -
It's weird I don't really get cravings anymore maybe because I don't put anything off limits. If you make something acceptable suddenly you don't crave it as much.3
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I refuse to grocery shop, while hungry & I typically don't put what I consider for myself only, as being junk/trigger foods; on my grocery list even if it's on sale and/or I have a coupon (which I'll conveniently, leave at home), so that I'll either forget and/or won't have the incentive; to purchase them.2
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I take the opposite approach, having exactly what I'm craving, however I delay gratification. If I've craving something like a cinnamon bun or cake, I don't tell myself that I can never have it. I wait. Then I wait some more. If I'm still craving it after a few weeks, I'll work it into my calories, and have it, and not just any cinnamon bun or cake, exactly the kind, from exactly the bakery, that I want. Sometimes that means waiting even longer. For me, having fruit when I want cake is not an answer.
Here's the thing: most of the time, after the wait and the fuss to get exactly what I want, I don't really like it as much as I thought I would, and I never need to eat it again.
Fortunately, most of my cravings are for meat, cheese, nuts, chocolate and vegetables, things I can have everyday in reasonable amounts.6
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