5 Simple Ways To Reduce Your Cravings
We have all been there… when the sugary or salty treat is calling our name and we do not want to give in, but the urge is too strong not too! Food is meant to be enjoyed and there is absolutely nothing wrong with indulging in the fun stuff in moderation. Balance is key in all areas of our lives, including with how we choose to nourish our physical bodies.
BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE HAVING CRAVINGS ON A DAILY BASIS?
This is a clear sign that there are imbalances in the body and these cravings become more of alarm clocks from your internal system than actual nudges to enjoy a special treat in moderation.
Below are 5 simple ways to help you reduce your cravings and feel more in balance:
1.) RESTORE VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES.
When our body is craving an excessive amount of sugar, we are usually deficient in magnesium and B vitamins. When we are craving salty treats, we are usually deficient in electrolytes and minerals. The more of a variety of organic fruits and vegetables as well as organic meats you are consuming on a daily basis, the more your cells will be nourished with the proper amount of vitamins and minerals. Additionally, you can find the highest quality vitamins and minerals on our Online Shop to help restore any lost/deficient nutrient stores.
2.) CONSISTENT QUALITY SLEEP.
When we are receiving the correct amount and quality of sleep on a consistent basis, our cravings the following day are naturally more in control. The less sleep we receive, a hormone in our body called cortisol rises on the following day, and we are more prone to craving more caffeine, salt and sugar. For natural, quality sleep tips, see this post.
3.) PROTEIN + FAT.
One way to quickly reduce cravings is to eat enough healthy protein and fat at meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner). When we miss getting enough protein and or fat at a meal, our brain and gut are not as satisfied for the next 3-4 hours, making us more prone to food cravings and eating sooner than we need to be. For women, as a rough estimate, aim on at least 25-35g of protein per meal and for men aim on at least 35g plus of protein per meal. For fat, aim on 1 serving per meal and or snack.
4.) PROPER HYDRATION.
This is one of the most simple yet overlooked ways to reduce cravings. Our brain will always confuse thirst for hunger. For proper hydration levels you want to aim on half your body weight in fluid ounces of un-carbonated water daily. For every ounce of caffeine consumed, add another ounce of water to maintain proper hydration levels.
5.) EMOTIONAL BALANCE.
When we are lacking “sweetness” in important areas of our lives, like in love, we tend to crave more sweets in the food we are eating. Additionally, when we are chronically stressed out and our stress hormones are soaring (adrenaline and cortisol) our cravings for sugar and/or salt naturally increase, which is another reason why maintaining healthy stress levels is so important for a healthy body and mind. Some of my favorite stress management tools are: Tapping, EMDR, Emotion Code, Breathwork, Nature and Exercise. For local and virtual practitioners who provide these services, please see our Resource page.
We hope this post helps you to understand your cravings better and always remember, balance is key! Indulging here and there isn't a bad thing - just be open and honest with your cravings and what they really mean for you!
