Are you looking for a way to stay away from foods that look tempting but are bad for your health? This article can help you overcome food cravings.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Gradually Change
Step 1. Overcome cravings in baby steps
If you can go without chocolate for a day, you can go for two. Keep track and record how long you can go without the food you want to stop eating, trying to extend the period each time. For example, if you have survived 4 days without chocolate, next time try to go up to 5. In this way all you have to do is start with small steps, for example giving up a given food for half a day, and then progress little. little by little.
Part 2 of 3: Eliminate Temptation
Step 1. Stay away from foods that are bad for you
If you live alone, the most obvious tactic is not to buy them. Do not keep coins in your pocket to spend at the snack vending machine and avoid the aisles of the supermarket dedicated to sweets and pretzels. If you don't see it, it's easier to give up the food you shouldn't eat. If you live with other people, the simplest solution is to change rooms when there is something particularly inviting on the table, but bad for your health.
Step 2. Hide food from view
If the object of your cravings is prominently displayed on the kitchen counter or nearby, lock it in a cupboard so you can't see it.
Step 3. Reflect on all the negatives involved
There has to be a good reason you're trying to break a bad habit. Use it as a resource to stay motivated and avoid giving in.
Step 4. Become aware of the benefits of a healthy diet
Are you feeling better, have more energy or are you losing weight? All of these positive effects can act as incentives to keep you motivated.
Step 5. Don't go shopping when you're hungry
The chances of putting unhealthy foods in your shopping cart increase exponentially when you are hungry.
Step 6. Find alternative foods
You can take something healthy to eat with you when you are hungry. The simpler, low-calorie alternative is chewing gum. You can choose from many flavors and keep your mouth busy for hours. For an even healthier option, always keep an apple on hand.
Step 7. Drink lots of water
In addition to filling your stomach to make you feel less hungry, water will give you the energy you need to resist temptation.
Step 8. Eat a healthy breakfast every morning
What you eat for breakfast will almost certainly be burned by the end of the day, so eat something nutritious to feel full until lunchtime.
Part 3 of 3: Stay Motivated
Step 1. Try a drastic method if you can't resist even a day without giving in to cravings
For example, you can ask a friend to stay with you for a full day to keep you from eating what you don't have to, or you can organize an extravagant schedule that will distract you from cravings. Anyone can find the strength to hold out for 24 hours and at that point you can start your count. You will be so pleased with yourself that you will feel ready to hold out for another day. When you know you can do it, nobody will stop you anymore.
Step 2. Distract your mind to not think about food
You can go for a walk or play with your pet. The craving for food will soon take a back seat.
Advice
- The healthier you eat, the more you'll find that there are much better things than candy and chips. If you have a hard time resisting cravings, exercise; you will automatically feel motivated to eat healthier. Try not to overdo it and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- If hunger is triggered by boredom, drink a glass of water to fill your stomach and find ways to distract yourself.
- Don't blame yourself if you happen to give in. The key to success is perseverance, so start over. Falling back into a vice absolutely does not mean having to give up on abandoning it.
- Eat something different, when you are full you will not want anything else.
