How to beat cravings – Part 1 of 3

Cravings… We know too well what they can do to our good resolve. Are you a “sugar baby”? Can’t resist those chips? Or maybe that triple chocolate cheesecake at the supermarket just looks extra yummy today…

Here are 3 techniques. Use these and see your cravings put under control. . . Finally.

• Find out the reason behind the cravingIsolate the craving and find its source (the underlying association made with this particular food item). An example: crackers and cheese in the afternoon. Maybe associated with the same foods your mom used to give you when you came in from school. And she’d sit down and you would both have a nice little chat about your day at school. Well, instead of eating the whole cheese and cracker reserve of your house, why not call mom and have a nice long chat?
• Listen to what your body is telling youThere might just be a physiological reason for your craving. Look for clues. An example: craving chocolate. Maybe you need some stimulation of some sort. Or some comforting. Crave sushi? Look for vitamin B deficiency in your diet.
• Work through itWhen a craving suddenly comes on, think of something else. Get busy! But leave the door open as to not create taboos. An example: “if I still want chocolate chip cookies in four days, then I’ll eat three cookies.” This will bring the tension associated with the craving way down, allowing for the object of desire to be put out of focus long enough to forget about it without creating a taboo.

So, in the next week, if cravings come along and give you a hard time, greet them with these 3 simple yet effective techniques. And you will conquer them hands down!

** Sheryl-Anne can be found at our French Diva blog: Crudiva Blog