Guest Post by Elizabeth of WeightLossTips.com
Among the variety of reasons why diets fail is the individual’s inability to curb the cravings for unhealthy foods. By controlling the urges to indulge, the dieter will be able to experience significant weight loss as well as a broad range of health benefits. Here are 8 ways to kick the cravings:
1. Replace Triggers
Since a dieter craves what he or she has eaten, it is best to eliminate unhealthy foods from the diet and replace them with smarter, healthier choices. Over time, the body will begin to crave the healthy foods rather than the unhealthy ones. In fact, the longer trigger foods are avoided, the less likely the dieter will be to eat them.
2. Avoid Temptation
Once the dieter has decided to eat healthier, it is wise to dispose of the junk food and sweets that may have already been bought. If the tempting food has already been eliminated, more should not be purchased. If it is readily available, it will be more likely to be consumed. Instead, nuts, cheese, fruits and vegetables should be kept well-stocked for snacking.
3. Move On
Slip-ups do happen. If unhealthy foods have been consumed, it is best to forget about it. If the dieter lingers on the mistake, he or she will most likely binge-eat to deal with the disappointment. Doing so will counteract any progress that was being made. The best way to get back on track is to follow a slip-up with at least five healthy meals to ensure that the dieter will be eating healthy at least 80 percent of the time.
4. Squash Stress
It is well-known that stress is a large contributing factor towards cravings. Techniques such as meditation, muscle relaxation, and deep breathing are a few of the ways to cope with the worries and anxieties that may exist.
5. Distract to Avoid
Cravings normally last ten minutes. If the dieter is set on eating one particular food and nothing else will suffice, it is most likely a craving and not hunger. It is best that he or she imagines eating salmon instead of cookies. If it sounds good, then it is hunger a meal should be consumed. Diversions such as calling a friend, relaxing, running an errand, or listening to music are good ways to keep busy.
6. Indulge Within Reason
It is okay to indulge once in a while, but it must be done wisely. The dieter should try low-calorie versions of ice cream and buy a small cone, not a pint. Many snack foods including chips, cookies, and pretzels all come in pre-portioned snack sizes boasting 100 calories or less. However, he or she must be careful that only one pack is eaten at a time. Allow time after eating for a brisk walk to burn the extra calories.
7. Plan Short-Term
Long-term diets fail because the goal is deceptively difficult. Six months can be a long time to someone trying to lose weight, so it is best to concentrate on curbing cravings for a fixed amount of time. Even if it is just for a few days at a time, short-term goals are typically easier to manage, and may provide the dieter with enough encouragement and motivation to continue eating healthy.
8. Have Motivation
An individual is more likely to eat healthier if he or she has different reasons for doing so. Not only are cosmetic purposes most likely a factor, but health should also be a big incentive. It can also help to think of the various financial motivations for losing weight since losing weight can even help one to qualify for the best health insurance rates.
Following these tips will help curb cravings for unhealthy foods and provide the dieter with a healthier mind and body.
Author Bio: Elizabeth is a freelance writer for WeightLossTips.com. WLT is a free informational website full of yup, you guessed it – weight loss tips! WLT is a big fan of Dr. Kal and would recommend that you be sure and check out his recent article on choosing the choosing the best pedometer for weight loss.