Control Your Cravings

Have you ever had a strong craving for something, and needed it ASAP?

Which side would you choose?

The one on the left might seem like a good option because you’re craving something salty, and fatty.

That’s because you have trained yourself to want those foods. But you can control your cravings.

You might not even be hungry, and you feel as if you need to eat what you’re craving. People can have strong cravings when they start new diets. Especially when cutting out sugary sweets and/or bread. A lot of the times you crave certain things because you body is feeling deprived from certain nutrients. It’s kind of like your body signaling to you that it needs something. You’re probably thinking that since you’re craving something sweet…go and eat something sweet because that’s what my body needs. Most of the time we are going to crave foods that aren’t healthy for us. That’s because we have been programmed to turn towards those foods when we feel a craving, instead of looking at healthier options to curb our cravings.  Here are some examples so you can get a better idea.

Craving: Salty.
What your body needs: Chloride, Sodium.
Eat instead: Fish, Goats milk (if tolerated), nuts, seeds, hummus, popcorn(not movie theater, all natural instead)

Craving: Fatty/Oily Foods
What your body needs: Calcium.
Eat instead: Milk, cheese, yogurt (dairy free works too) legumes, green leafy vegetables, and broccoli.

Craving: Chocolate.
What your body needs: Magnesium.
Eat instead: Nuts, seeds, legumes, fresh fruit.

Craving: Bread, pasta, and other carbs.
What your body needs: Nitrogen.
Eat instead: High protein foods, meat, nuts, fish, and beans. Try gluten free options as well.

Craving: Sugary foods and sweets
What your body needs: Phosphorous, Sulphur, Tryptophan
Foods containing Phosphorous: Chicken, beef, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes, and grains. (can be gluten and dairy free options)
Foods containing Sulphur: Cranberries, horseradish, cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage.
Foods containing Tryptophan: Cheese(Dairy free as well), lamb, liver, raisins, sweet potato, and spinach.

**If you feel yourself just overeating in general. STOP. It’s not good to consume the foods that you’re craving. Just to fulfill those cravings. Instead, put a stop to those cravings and you will find yourself eating less. When you are overeating, it might be because your body needs something specific, and you’ll eat a lot. Just to try to figure it out.
What your body needs: Silicon, Tryptophan, Tyrosine.
Foods containing Silicon: Nuts, seeds.
Foods containing Tryptophan: Cheese, lamb, liver, raisins, sweet potato, and spinach.
Foods containing Tyrosine: Orange, green, and red fruits & vegetables. Take a Vitamin C supplement.

When you decide to eat a healthier choice, instead of eating something unhealthy. You’ll end up feeling better because you are fueling your body with what it NEEDS, not what you think you WANT. 

Cheers!