How To Handle Food Cravings?

• Positive substitution is the key, do not stop sugar but instead substitute it by healthier sweet foods like prunes, figs, honey, raisins, sweet fruits and natural juices.

• Eat small frequent meals to keep the blood sugar even keeled. Avoid fluctuations which trigger cravings.

• If possible, brush your teeth when you get the craving, this will help in suppressing the urge of sweet.

• Chew on saunf, or cardamom or a clove, these mouth fresheners are strong in their flavor and help in overcoming the cravings.

• Remove all trigger foods from your house like chocolates, cookies, chewing gums and instead replace by healthy foods.

• Do not reward children by foods (Chocolates, biscuits etc) because it leads to a pattern of lifelong self reward behavior; instead a pat or a hug is far healthier.

• Recognize the routine and identify when and how you go for the sugar "fix".

• Patience is the key, as it takes time to change/modify habits.

• Many studies have suggested magnesium deficiency to cause sugar cravings, ensure supplementation by a calcium + magnesium nutrient.

• Short term sugar addiction is seen in menopause, pregnancy and smokers who give up smoking or people who give up alcohol.

• Craving for sweet things could be because of water retention. Reduce salt intake and have citrus fruits like orange and sweet lime.

• When you feel an urge of snacking, you can chew a sugar-free gum.

• Avoid artificial sweeteners; they increase the cravings of sweets in some people.

• Keep the portion size small, having a bite or 2 of the item once in a while will not harm.

• Avoid crash dieting. It can leave you feeling more irritable or depressed than usual & crave for all wrong food stuff.

• If you are simply not able to manage your temptation, opt for a quality sweet, rather than quantity. Eat a small piece of 70% dark chocolate, instead of a candy bar. While having ice cream, have a small scoop of ice cream, in place of an entire bowl. Your craving will be satisfied and at the same time, you would be consuming less sugar.

• Read about the ingredients on the cover of sweets, by reading that you might realize how much calories you would intake and this might help you stop the cravings.

* Eat short and frequent meals and drink plenty of water will help you in handlening the cravings for food.