tricks to stop giving in to cravings

I

iluvgymnastics

New member
I'm sure this has been brought up before, but I don't know where so I'll ask again. Lately, I've been eating really poorly. I am aware of it, but I do it anyway. I'm wondering if anyone has any tricks to stop giving in to the cravings. Like, something I could do to take my mind off it. I know once I get back on track I'll be okay. Thanks.
 
bubble bath?
 
i find something similar to what im craving to get rid of it. when i have the munches for something crispy i go for popcorn. if its cheesecake i found lowfat sugar free cheesecake flavoured yogurt etc.
Usually i can identify if its protien or carb i crave and boil it down to just that which helps (if ive had to little of one then ill crave it)
 
If I really crave something I tend to let myself have it and just make sure I still keep within my calorie limit for the day. Guess it might not be the healthiest way to go about things but it solves the craving problem and makes dieting more enjoyable. If I'm craving more than one thing I'll let myself have one thing and say well I can have the other thing tomorrow. Sometimes I've stopped craving it by the next day anyway so don't have it, but when I do have it I don't feel bad because it was a planned treat.
 
I'm kind of on the same page as Caterpillar. I'll give in, a little, to the occasional craving as long as it isn't something totally out of line (like mozzarella cheese sticks...my all-time favorite junk food).

Like if I'm craving chocolate, there's usually a bag of those Hershey's miniatures here at the office, so I'll eat a couple, log it with the food I ate that date and adjust the rest of the day accordingly. If it's a birthday and there's cake that I'm having trouble walking away from, I'll eat a very small piece and adjust the rest of the day accordingly. Usually I can let go of the cravings, drink some water and I'm fine. But sometimes I just HAVE to give in, but I don't let myself go overboard.

And I never get within 10 feet of cheese sticks. Because I know what'll happen if I do....:banghead:
 
My trick is when I get a craving, I brush my teeth (who likes to eat right after brushing their teeth?) and drink a huge glass of ice water. I've read some studies where people often mistake hunger for dehydration.

Finally, if I still really really want whatever I'm craving, I'll have a small piece, guilt free. I find that if I try to have something similar but not quite it, I'll eat that, then something else, then something else, then finally whatever I was craving in the first place because nothing else quite hit the spot. So just have it, enjoy it (take your time!) and like those above said adjust what you eat the rest of the day.
 
cravings.....*ugh* lol well it's definately something we all have to deal with. I am more like mindy as I look for similar alternatives. In fact. I try to keep things in my diet so that I won't feel like I am missing out on anything.

For instance, I like sweets...my big downfall. :( So, I have all natural fruit bars (no sugar added....you know like popsicles-but natural- kinda like sorbet on a stick....lol) in my freezer for when I want that something at night. Or I found a killer recipe for brownies that has only 1 gram of fat and 88 calories a brownie. That way I can afford to eat one and satisfy my need for sweets.

There are some other tricks, like sugar free hard candies, popcorn (already mentioned- Orville reddenbacher has a great Natural 94% fat free one that is really good), sometimes if I want something salty, beef jerky is good (just don't over do it lots of salt). Scan around your grocery store and check out all the labels. I'm sure there are more things....

For me I am at home a lot so I can't just go outside and get away from my fridge....lol BUT if I could....go for a walk if it is nice out, go take a look around the stores, sometimes it is changing your environment that will help you get past the craving and get you mind onto other things....
If you can't get out, do some of those things you keep telling yourself you are going to do, like wash the dog...lol :), work in the yard, paint a room,...etc...when you keep yourself active, it helps to keep your mind on other things too...

Hope it helps :)
take care,
Diane
 
MindiK said:
I'm kind of on the same page as Caterpillar. I'll give in, a little, to the occasional craving as long as it isn't something totally out of line (like mozzarella cheese sticks...my all-time favorite junk food).

Like if I'm craving chocolate, there's usually a bag of those Hershey's miniatures here at the office, so I'll eat a couple, log it with the food I ate that date and adjust the rest of the day accordingly. If it's a birthday and there's cake that I'm having trouble walking away from, I'll eat a very small piece and adjust the rest of the day accordingly. Usually I can let go of the cravings, drink some water and I'm fine. But sometimes I just HAVE to give in, but I don't let myself go overboard.

And I never get within 10 feet of cheese sticks. Because I know what'll happen if I do....:banghead:
Click to expand...

This is hilarious. It sounds like me and anything fried.

My trick is to eat every ninety minutes. It sounds drastic, I know, but it really works. And I never eat heavily, only 50-80 calorie snacks, mostly grapes, carrots and the like. What's great about this routine, is it curbs my cravings and I'm not tempted to eat TONS in one sitting. I'm surprised, actually, by it's effect. I didn't think I could ever feel satiated throughout the day and now I am. It's wonderful.
 
last10lbs said:
cravings.....*ugh* lol well it's definately something we all have to deal with. I am more like mindy as I look for similar alternatives. In fact. I try to keep things in my diet so that I won't feel like I am missing out on anything.

For instance, I like sweets...my big downfall. :( So, I have all natural fruit bars (no sugar added....you know like popsicles-but natural- kinda like sorbet on a stick....lol) in my freezer for when I want that something at night. Or I found a killer recipe for brownies that has only 1 gram of fat and 88 calories a brownie. That way I can afford to eat one and satisfy my need for sweets.

There are some other tricks, like sugar free hard candies, popcorn (already mentioned- Orville reddenbacher has a great Natural 94% fat free one that is really good), sometimes if I want something salty, beef jerky is good (just don't over do it lots of salt). Scan around your grocery store and check out all the labels. I'm sure there are more things....

For me I am at home a lot so I can't just go outside and get away from my fridge....lol BUT if I could....go for a walk if it is nice out, go take a look around the stores, sometimes it is changing your environment that will help you get past the craving and get you mind onto other things....
If you can't get out, do some of those things you keep telling yourself you are going to do, like wash the dog...lol :), work in the yard, paint a room,...etc...when you keep yourself active, it helps to keep your mind on other things too...

Hope it helps :)
take care,
Diane
Click to expand...

Do you the recipe for those brownies? I'm intrigued and excited now. LOL.
 
I just don't keep anything in my apartment that i know i will regret eating....when i usually get my cravings, its late at night and by then im too lazy to go drive and get something.
 
Invariant said:
Do you the recipe for those brownies? I'm intrigued and excited now. LOL.
Click to expand...

I sure do :D

Double Chocolate Brownies
Ingredients
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (semi-sweet)

[ personally I think it is sweet enough without the chips, but try it with first with them. You may prefer it that way]

Butter-flavored cooking spray (I use regular Pam)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Spray an 8x8 inch non-stick cake pan with spray. (or 8x8 pyrex will work)

In a medium mixing bowl, using a sturdy whisk or spatula, mix the applesauce, vanilla, egg whites and sugar until they are well combined.

Add the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir the mixture until it is just combined and no lumps remain. Pour it into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the chips evenly over the top.

Bake the brownies for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry (a few crumbs are okay).

Transfer the pan to a cooling rack and allow them to cool 5 minutes. Cut into 12 equal brownies. Makes 12 (1 brownie) servings.

Each brownie has: 88 calories, 2 g protein, 19 g carbohydrates, 1 g fat, less than 1 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 133 mg sodium

Compared to traditional brownies:

Traditional Double Chocolate Brownies have: 260 calories, 3 g protein, 37 g carbohydrates, 12 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 165 mg sodium
 
most cookies if made a decent size are less than 100 calories each. In fact if they are more than 100 i just dont bother. I like the bite sized ones you can get for 50 calories each which are smothered in chocolate etc. Just enough to stop cravings.
The lowest calorie ones i get are the budget ones which are 5 cookies 100 calories, the highest i usually eat are the oat and fruit ones which are super yum but 100 calories :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top