When it comes to healthy eating, the quest for perfection can be our greatest downfall because it often leads to an all or nothing mentality where one chocolate seems little different to the entire box. But when a craving is really getting you down and that one chocolate just doesn’t feel enough, you might need some tricks up your sleeve to kick it to the curb…
By Karina Stewart, Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa Co-founder
The general need-to-knows…
- Hydrate well with warm fluids. Often when we think we are hungry we are actually thirsty. That is when we are dehydrated. In winter many places have a lot of heating and we become dehydrated easily. So hydrate well with warm broths, teas, and infusions that provide some minerals in order to better absorb the fluids.
- Eat a meal at least every four hours. Healthy snacks in between are really helpful to conquer your cravings.
- Eating protein with every meal will help maintain a stable blood sugar level throughout the day and prevent you from those sugary cravings.
5 Common Cravings and How to Kick Them
Ready to go into battle for Bread?
Kick it: Try to only eat carbohydrates in the daytime when you are awake and moving, this is when you are most metabolically active. Bread can be substituted through almond or sesame spread on fruit like apples or pears.
Can’t stop thinking about pasta?
Kick it: Everyone knows the feeling of craving a big bowl of hot pasta, but few people know that the body simply turned pasta into sugar once eaten. Try a bean soup or Kamalaya’s Buckwheat Noodle Soup.
Just want a croissant?
Kick it: Substitute your mid-morning croissant for some veggie sticks with hummus, not only will this decrease your daily sugar intake it will also keep you full for longer.
3.30itis sugar rush?
Kick it: Pack some healthy snacks in your bag, if you’ve got some nuts or a piece of fruit in your bag you’ll be able to avoid the sugar temptation.
Coffee or else?
Kick it: If you’ve feed your body coffee for years it will be hard to stop the cravings. Try reducing the amount of coffees you have by substituting a cup of coffee for a cup of herbal tea or green smoothie.
Remember, when it comes to healthy eating, the quest for perfection can be our greatest downfall because it often leads to an all or nothing mentality where one chocolate seems little different to the entire box. Our philosophy is pragmatic and realistic and seeks to inspire rather than dictate. Food is not just about maintaining health; a change in diet can bring about a change in health.
