Food cravings can derail even the best diets.
If you want to lose weight, chances are good that you’re going to have to start making some dietary changes. The better you can stick with those changes, the more weight you’ll be able to lose, but unfortunately, food cravings can derail even the most determined dieters, and that’s true regardless of the diet. Luckily though, you don’t have to be a slave to your cravings. Here is a list from our medical weight loss experts in Montreal of a few things you can do to keep your cravings at bay:
#1. Drink lots of water.
Did you know that people often confuse thirst for hunger? The next time you find yourself with a hankering for ice cream or a hamburger, drink a big glass of water instead. If after a few minutes, your cravings subside, you’ll know that you were just thirsty instead of hungry. Additionally, drinking water before a meal can help to curb your appetite, allowing you to feel fuller with a smaller meal.
#2. Distract yourself.
When you feel a particularly strong craving coming on, try doing something to distract yourself, like do some yoga, ride your bicycle or go for a run. After a while, your craving will subside and you’ll keep up with your daily activity requirements!
#3. Eat plenty of protein.
When you’re dieting, it’s important that you make it a point to meet your daily protein needs. Protein is a must for every diet because it helps to keep cravings at bay while also helping you feel more satisfied for longer after meals. One study found that increasing your protein intake could help to reduce your cravings by a whopping 60 percent.
#4. Plan your meals ahead of time.
When you’re unsure about what or when you’ll eat next, it’s much easier to simply give in when you start craving something. But, if you plan out your meals ahead of time, and you know that you’ve got something tasty and healthy waiting for you at home, you’ll have an easier time saying no to your cravings.
#5. Don’t let yourself get too hungry.
The key to a successful weight loss diet is not to starve yourself but to snack enough to keep you full and avoid cravings. If you let yourself get overly hungry, you’ll reach for the first thing you find, which will often mean stopping by a drive-thru or succumbing to a candy bar in the check-out aisle.
#6. Learn how to manage your stress.
Stress is among the top reasons why cravings are so hard to fight off. Additionally, when you’re under stress, you’re more likely to eat more in general, and you’ll have even more cravings to combat. Learning to manage your stress in a healthy way will help you to avoid and better deal with cravings.
Let us help you avoid cravings and find success in your weight loss journey.
Don’t let cravings keep you from reaching your weight loss goals. Instead, turn to Gestion Nutrition. We offer custom diet plans that will help you reach your goal once and for all. Contact us today to get started.