Cravings can be the end of many well-intended healthy lifestyle changes and the beginning of month long binges for thousands of people!
Before transforming my lifestyle, back when I was over 100 pounds overweight and constantly in a diet/binge cycle, my cravings were out of control. I learned some simple tricks to help get off of that roller coaster and I also have some delicious recipes to help you deal with your cravings in a healthier way!
1. Identify where the craving is coming from.
Is it a nutrition deficiency? For many of us, this is the cause. Cravings are our body’s way of telling us we need something. Sometimes it is proper nourishment, other times it is stress causing the craving and our brain is looking for a quick fix serotonin boost. Sometimes we need to go deeper and delve into our emotional reasons for cravings. I highly recommend fellow Girl Power Hour blogger Minh-Hai Tran with Mindful Nutrition to help with this.
For me, my cravings were mainly from nutrition deficiencies. I had a highly processed, nutritionally empty diet. My body wasn’t getting “real” food so I was never satisfied. As soon as I started living a balanced lifestyle enjoying a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and low-glycemic whole grains and vegetable carbohydrates and stopped focusing on calories, they pretty much went away.
2. After identifying why you may be having the craving, give yourself “permission to give in.”
While I don’t believe in labeling “bad” foods, (I think there is a place in even a healthy lifestyle for an occasional treat), when we tell ourselves “I can’t have that” it seems to make that craving for the foods that give the quickest boost, like junk food, even worse. When I recognize that I want something I tell myself I can have it…as long as I have something healthier first. Most of the time I find I am completely satisfied after my healthy snack and a big glass of water.
3. Eat to keep cravings at bay.
I find when I stay well nourished and eat every 3-4 hours, my cravings pretty much go away. As soon as I have a few more processed indulgences than normal they seem to flare back up. When I research the countries with the least diet related disease and weight issues, here are the common threads: a healthy diet, appreciation for wonderful real food, eating often (not denying or depriving food) and enjoying a small sweet treat most days. Sounds like a pretty wonderful life, right? This is the lifestyle I have adapted and in the process I lost over 100 pounds and have kept it off for over 6 years now, without dieting or depriving.
Here are some delicious recipes I would love to share with you when your next craving kicks in!
Are you craving something:
Crunchy & Salty:
Try this easy homemade hummus with some brown rice crackers and carrots!
Sweet:
Try these Healthy German Chocolate Cake Bites!
Soothing, Rich & Gooey:
Try this recipe for Healthified Baked Ziti!
Try this recipe for Healthified Gluten Free Tuna Noodle Casserole!
Creamy & Cool:
Try Strawberries Romanoff before you turn to ice cream!
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Healthy Girl: Transforming your life one recipe at a time…deliciously. Follow her @mesadevida
Kirsten Helle
A personal chef and nutrition consultant that LOVES food, Kirsten transformed herself several years ago by shedding over 100 pounds. Passionate about helping others reach their goals also, she aims to inspire others to live a healthy, vibrant life. Kirsten is the lucky mom to 2 crazy kids and loving girlfriend to a busy entrepreneur. Follow Kirsten on Twitter: @mesadevida
* This post is from a Girl Power Hour featured blogger. It is not written, edited or endorsed by Girl Power Hour. The authors are solely responsible for content.
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5 Healthy Recipes To Satisfy Your Cravings, Plus, How To Identify Cravings - Guest Post From Girl Power Hour | Mesa de Vida
01.25.2013
[...] on over here to read – I’d love to hear what you eat when you have cravings, or did this help you [...]
Minh-Hai Tran
01.26.2013
Yum, these healthified recipes look amazing! Keep inspiring and showing people it’s possible to be satisfied, live well and feel great. (And thanks for the shout-out!)