Some of us crave chocolate and can easily scarf down a candy bar or two in order to satisfy it. But are you craving it or eating it out of habit?
When your body is craving something, it is telling you something is low in your body. If you crave meat, you need protein. If you crave bread or sweets, you are needing a carbohydrate. The key is choosing the right food to satisfy the craving.
When you feel a craving coming on think about the food you want and decide what category it falls in: Veggies, Fruits, Carbs, Protein, Fats. Is the food you crave crunchy, chewy or smooth? Try to find an alternative if the food you crave is an unhealthy choice.
Here are some examples:
| Craving |
Alternative |
| Candy |
Fresh Fruit |
| Ice Cream |
Apple Sauce |
| Cheese |
Tofu/Yogurt |
| Chips |
Popcorn (low sodium) |
| Cheese Puffs |
Carrots |
| Chocolate |
Banana with low fat peanut butter |
| Candy Bar |
Unsalted Almonds |
| Donut |
Whole Wheat Toast with Jam or Light Cream Cheese |
You would be surprised how the healthier foods satisfy your craving, keep you fuller longer, give you energy and above all, make you not feel guilty!
For chocolate cravers, many times, you are lacking magnesium so consider a magnesium supplement like Natural Calm.
To stop a craving without eating, drink Green Tea with crushed ice. Green tea not only has many health benefits, it also curbs hunger pangs. The crushed ice will give you the crunchy your mouth is wanting. The decaf green tea is just as effective.
Craving fatty foods? Eat fish, or take a fish oil or flaxseed oil supplement. You may be low in essential fatty acids.
Grab something healthy to drink. Sometimes, cravings for food are really thirst in disguise.
Sweet tooth? Protein, fat and fiber keep blood sugar levels more even and help keep such cravings under control. Try eating a bowl of healthy cereal with strawberries or bananas mixed in instead. Even a banana with low fat peanut butter spread on it is better than desserts.
Watch your caffeine intake. Caffeine seems to make sugar cravings worse.
Put spiritual food in your mouth instead of junk food. Break open that Bible and start filling yourself with soul food. You will be amazed how it helps!
Krista Johnson is the owner of Fit By Faith Fitness Center which was established in October of 2006. She is the mother of 4 children ages 18, 13, 10 and 6 and has a passion for helping others get in shape from the inside out. Krista is a walking testimony having lost over 100lbs and has successfully kept it off . During her weight loss, she had a vision of creating Fit By Faith. She believed she was to change the atmosphere of the gym and create a different environment for people to work out in. Krista is a former High School Theater Arts teacher and is currently attending college to obtain her B.A in Sports Medicine. She holds certifications as Personal Trainer with the International Sports Science Association Tae Bo® fitness instructor (Certified by the creator Billy Blanks) Group Fitness Instructor for Adults, Children and Seniors SilverSneakers® Muscle Strength & Range of Motion for Seniors Black Belt 1st Dan in the art of Tae Bo Kwon. She maintains her certifications annually through continuing education classes and training camps and requires all her instructors at Fit By Faith to do the same. She also competes in races and other competitions regularly. Krista has appeared in 3 Tae Bo® infomercials on national TV Shape, Collage Video, Looking Good Now and Christian Living Magazines Several times in the Brownwood Bulletin Newspaper. She has also been featured on several websites such as The Fitness Zone, The Biggest Loser, ivillage as well as the Billy Blanks Website. Krista has been a motivational speaker at many churches and radio stations. Krista and her husband John, who is co-owner of Fit By Faith, both have hearts to help others to feel good, to be healthy and strive everyday to serve more people in this manner.
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