How to Stop Food Cravings for Good

There are few things in dieting that can feel worse than struggling for several solid days to adhere to a healthful, nutritious, balanced eating plan, only to cancel any benefits you may have enjoyed because you couldn’t resist that bar of chocolate or those slices of cheesy pizza. Learning how to stop food cravings can be one of the most important tools you have in making sure you successfully reach your weight loss goals and stop the fat from climbing back on again.
Fortunately for you, there are some very effective tips and tricks that can let you stop food cravings from taking over your ability to successfully lose weight and live a more healthful lifestyle. Ignore the people who tell you that it is only a matter of willpower. There is a great deal more to the sensation of a food craving than just being able to resist the temptation. The cause runs more deeply than that – right down to the chemicals of your brain – so stopping them is a matter of understanding what’s causing them in the first place.
The urges, themselves, come from the desire to experience the brain chemicals – such as dopamine – that are released when these types of foods are eaten. Those “feel good” chemicals are something your brain seeks again and again. Therefore, to stop food cravings you need to plan ahead, find out what is making your brain crave the feeling and prevent it. To discover those answers, ask yourself the following questions:
Am I stressed? Anxiety and stress are some of the most common reasons your brain will seek feelings of happiness in other areas such as from food. When you’re stressed, the cortisol hormone is released, signalling to your brain to try to seek out rewards that will make you feel good. What’s a great way to feel good? Chomping down into a favorite comfort food. If you realize you’re feeling stressed, you can consciously take other actions to make yourself feel better, diverting the need for sugary or fatty foods.
Am I actually hungry? If you’ve been dieting, you may be eating less than you usually do. When you’re hungry, you’re more likely to crave foods that don’t fit into your diet plan than the ones that do. The key here is to have weight loss-friendly snacks prepared and ready for you when cravings hit. Once you’re not hungry anymore, you’re less likely to crave what you shouldn’t have.
Am I tired? If you’re not getting enough sleep, your body will compensate for the lack of energy from being tired by driving you to eat energy (calorie) packed foods. Work on getting better sleep at night or start taking fifteen minute power naps if you can.
Am I just responding to a habit? You may have programmed yourself to want certain foods at certain times or during certain activities. Do you have routines that include snacking while watching TV, for example? Try to break those habits by doing exercises while you watch TV or at least take on a hobby that will keep your hands busy. Knitting, anyone?