CONSTANT CRAVINGS

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How to minimize FOOD CRAVINGS

What are Food Cravings?

Cravings are a powerful urge, seemingly irresistible desire to eat something very sugary and fatty (generally foods high in calories) to fulfill a lack of energy, to soothe unhappiness, to de-stress. Cravings may arise due to a poor sleep pattern, erratic nutrition habits, extreme dieting, emotional stress and the feeling of needing to ‘fill a void’.

Often the root cause of above is an altered endocrine function resulting in hormonal disorders due the lifestyle of the individual.

Sometimes cravings can develop into to a habit and even sugar addiction which then may turn into a vicious cycle.

Know what can cause cravings:

  • Erratic Sleep Pattern
  • Sleeping ‘tomorrow’ (after midnight)
  • Lack of sleep
  • Imbalanced nutrition
  • Extreme diets
  • Not eating breakfast
  • No ‘proper’ breakfast/lunch
  • Delayed meal- and snack times
  • Excessive stress
  • Unhappiness, discontent

What to do:

  • Write a cravings journal to be able to recognize a pattern and to realize what triggers your cravings
  • Stick to set meal- and snack times
  • Eat breakfast at least by 8.30am
  • Follow basic, balanced nutrition principles
  • Include complex  carbohydrates/starches
  • Include plenty of fibre, especially vegetables
  • Reduce the intake of highly processed foods
  • Minimize the intake of sugary foods/fluids
  • Get sufficient sleep
  • Sleep at least by 11pm/23 hrs.
  • Manage stress
  • EXERCISE! Regular physical activity is the most underestimated treatment for anxiety, stress and the feeling of inadequacy
  • Talk to family & friends
  • Seek help if you cannot manage to overcome problems

Giving in to emotion and stress related cravings, usually makes people feel worse afterwards since it is only a temporary fix. It is important to identify and treat the cause for cravings.

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