Help with Cravings!!!!!

Just say no practice will-power and discipline. The longer you go without it the less you'll crave it.

Drink water and eat protein! They are great for reducing cravings. Also remember that it's all a mental game. When you see that you want the greasy monster, You remind yourself that you don't need it. Then pop some sugar free gum in your mouth!

Save up some calories and allow yourself that cheat meal. Don't make a cheat day and undo all the good work you've put into your healthy eating. If you're craving something, learn to reward yourself in smaller amounts, that way you don't splurge.

If I've been good all week, I make sure to squeeze in a cheat meal! I also always work out on my cheat meal day.

Give yourself a healthy fat instead of fried food/fast food. For example, have a slice of warmed 100% whole wheat bread (or multi grain if you prefer) with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to dip it into. The monounsaturated fat is very healthy and fats will satisfy your appetite more than carbs alone. The whole grains are good too because they are fiber-rich and that also is satisfying. If you don't like olive oil (hard for me to imagine...) you can have a sliced avocado on the toast or even a fruit smoothie with a little coconut oil in it.

I agree with those that say save your calories for some greasy goodness. That was always my downfall. No sweet tooth, but give me a burger and fries or some hashbrowns dripping in grease. YUM!

Plan out and log your entire day starting with the fast food meal. If you can't see yourself starving all day for what you'd normally eat at that place, start looking for some lower calorie options so you can get more food in other meals that day. I love a couple Beefy 5-Layer Burritos from Taco Bell, but if it doesn't fit into my calories or I'd have to eat very little all day to fit it in, I'd still go to Taco Bell but will get Fresco Chicken Tacos. Still delicious and I still get my fast food craving taken care of.

You can also bank your calories all week. Eat 100 calories less everyday and then at the end of the week, have a nice little splurge.

This is definitely not something you want to do all the time, but if you're anything like me, you have to have these types of meals on occasion, or you'll never stick to it.

Make sure you are getting adequate vitamins and minerals. Sometimes deficiencies can create cravings. For example, a deficiency in Calcium and Magnesium can create salt and/or sugar cravings. http://www.prevention.com/food/nutrient-deficiency-and-overeating

KrisJ125 wrote: »

Give yourself a healthy fat instead of fried food/fast food. For example, have a slice of warmed 100% whole wheat bread (or multi grain if you prefer) with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to dip it into. The monounsaturated fat is very healthy and fats will satisfy your appetite more than carbs alone. The whole grains are good too because they are fiber-rich and that also is satisfying. If you don't like olive oil (hard for me to imagine...) you can have a sliced avocado on the toast or even a fruit smoothie with a little coconut oil in it.

Glad that works for you. For me I would feel even more deprived, and end up eating the burger on top of that. Although I've found as I lower my calories and eat better, highly greasy foods don't agree with my stomach, and don't taste as good as they used to. Ive found that by only indulging occasionally, I crave these foods less and less.

itsallgood803 wrote: »

It's only been a week and a half of my healthy eating, and every day this week I've been craving greasy fast food. I've done great with my exercise and I haven't succumbed to the greasy salt monster....but it's tough. How do I get over these cravings of carbs covered in fat, salt and cheese?!?

Will power and gritting your teeth doesn't work for everyone. You might look into a low-glycemic diet as a way of reducing food cravings. A lot of people have had good results with them. There are several sound ones out there - ask your doctor or a dietician what they think.

I restrict most sugar (which carbohydrates also turn to sugar) that helps the cravings go down. Before you know it youll have to force yourself to eat because you don't have an appetite.