8 Ways To Kill The Cravings

We humans are programmed to eat while the eating is good.

Historically, this was a useful adaptation ensuring we fuelled up the body when food was in abundance to ward off illness and fatigue in times of famine.

For the modern person, food can seem like our ‘frenemy’ rather than a supportive friend. Quelling the urge to eat more than we need to can sometimes require the willpower of a Taoist monk.

Rather than giving in to a bag of M&M’s, there are some sure-fire tricks to keep the cravings at bay without overloading on the kilojoules.

Carb Craving Killer
Oh boy if it’s not the hardest craving to overcome. You’re literally drooling for a cookie, or a slice of toast, slathered in butter, or a cronut (you hipster) or even a bowl of spaghetti with creamy sauce.

Well fore-warned is fore-armed, people! Instead of the toast, grab yourself a spicy snack. Spicy foods such as dried chili flakes contain capsaicin ,which triggers the release of the feel-good hormone dopamine in the brain, exactly like eating a cookie. Try swapping carbs for a yummy home-made red-bean chili con carne.

Salt Craving Killer
The regular afternoon daydream involving a tall dark and handsome stranger proffering a packet of chips is becoming a little repetitive. Banish those salty snacks from your meal repertoire by adding a variety of herbs and spices to your food as a healthy and tasty alternative (give or take the tall dark and handsome stranger).

Pantry staples such as black pepper, curry leaves, turmeric and cayenne pepper stave off salt cravings and deliver healthy anti-oxidants. Try growing your own basil, coriander, parsley, oregano, sage and rosemary and add them to as many meals as possible. Your taste buds will love it as will your waistline.

Sugar Craving Killer
Almost as dangerous as the carb craving but possibly worse due to the food choices it can prompt us to make. The urge to eat something sugary arises when our body’s blood sugar level takes a dive. The solution? Keep it on an even keel – this means a three-pronged attack: combining protein, with a low-GI carb and a healthy fat every three hours.

It sounds like a lot of things to think about, but this food combo is easily achieved preparing a delicious meal such as a black bean lentil salad with a lime dressing.

Prepared in advance and on hand for easy munching throughout the day and the thought of that snickers will send a shiver down your spine. Check out my website for other great recipe ideas.

General Craving Killer
If all else fails and you’re caught out with no healthy snacks on hand, then go ‘old-school’ and drink a tall glass of water.

We often mistake thirst for hunger and keeping hydrated throughout the day with plain water can be enough to stop us snacking on unhealthy things.

You Rock!
With these tricks you’ll be a fully-fledged craving assassin. The axis of evil – carbs, salt and sugar – you have conquered. Taoist Monk gives you respect!