Reduce Your Cravings!

One of the biggest issues that I have with trying to eat healthy and control my weight is cravings.  Here are some weird ways to fight cravings.  I found these and added some of my own. 

1.    Chew gum (It is suggested to chew gum following meals to avoid eating a sweet dessert.)

2.    Peanut butter- ( I eat a tablespoon of peanut butter while watching TV instead of chips.  Within 15 minutes you will not have any cravings.) I also read where just smelling peanut butter or peppermint can help with cravings.

3.    Drink water (It is suggested to take your body weight and divide it in half. If you weigh 150 pounds then you should try to drink 75 ounces of water each day.)  This can be difficult for some people but it is so important.  Water also helps boost your metabolism and contributes to weight loss.

4.    Brush your teeth (Food taste weird after brushing  your teeth.)

5.     Sleep (Be sure to get enough rest.)

6.    Eat more fiber (The following are some high fiber foods to help reduce cravings.)

“Did you know that fiber (along with fats and proteins) fights cravings by slowing down the absorption of sugar in the body? Yep…Shoot for 30 or more grams of fiber per day to kill cravings,”(Josh Bezoni,nutritionist).

• Barley has 12 grams per 1/2 cup
• Beans like black beans, navy beans, refried, and lima beans all have 6 or more grams per 1/2 cup
• Bran cereal has 13 grams per 1/3 to 1/2 cup
• Peas have more than 9 grams per 1/2 cup
• Strawberries have 4 grams per cup and raspberries have more than 5, and blackberries have more than 7 grams
• Broccoli has 7 grams per 3/4 cooked cup
• Oatmeal has 7 grams per 3/4 cup
• Apples have 4 grams of fiber in the form of pectin

I  have been eating many of these foods and they really do work to reduce cravings.  Give some of them a try for yourself.  

References:

Nutritionist, Josh Bezoni, 2012.