Controlling Cravings

"To counter a sweets craving, try mint tea (it's the soothing version of brushing your teeth to redirect your taste buds). Stock some at work and at home and always travel with a few bags handy -- the airport can feel like a lawless society, nutritionally speaking."

Sugar is a preferred taste from birth because it releases serotonin which is the 'feel-good' chemical in the brain. There was a small study that came out not long ago that said sugar is 8x more addictive than cocaine. One of the worst things to eat? Pizza! The hidden sugars in the dough, sauce and ingredients light up your brain.

Although there are cravings for salt, sugar cravings are among the highest. There are 329 books available on Amazon to detox from sugar or find out why you are addicted to the substance. I like Julia Ross' book, Diet Cure. Ms. Ross is an expert on nutritional therapy, and her book provides you with information on how to quit cravings and rebalance the chemistry of your body.

I don't think any one person could have taken in more sugar than me in my first 30 years of living on this planet. And although I don't have all my food issues under control 24/7, cravings is one I have managed (when I want to) quite well. I initially got things going through self-talk and educating myself about what the effects of eating a particular food were doing to my body. When faced with a food I wanted to take out of my daily food plan, I would say to myself "I don't eat that" and I would crinkle my nose at it so my brain got the message! Sounds silly, but it worked. I also thought about how gross it feels to be addicted to something - so I gave myself the control, not the food! Go ahead, give it a try!

Meanwhile, if that doesn't work for you and you want to crush a craving, first be sure you're not dehydrated. Have a big glass of water. That not working? Here are some other ideas besides brushing your teeth or drinking peppermint tea:  

• Drink a warm glass of purified water with lemon added.
• Have 1/2 cup of greek yogurt with cinnamon sprinkled on top.
• Eat a green apple or a red one lightly sprinkled with cinnamon.
• Burn a soy VANILLA scented candle.
• Add a good vanilla extract to a sparkling water.
• Have 1/2 of a banana and roll it into some crushed almonds mixed with a small amount of raw cacao.
• Chew gum.
• Try Chai or Oolong ... tea that is! Works as well as peppermint.
• Have a taste of what you are craving so it doesn't become bigger than what it is. According to MS, RD, Kerry Neville, some people feel deprived when they don't indulge and it turns out to be a problem. She recommends keeping it to 150 calories or less. I recommend using one of the other methods when possible, especially in the evening.
• Supplement with Gymnema which fools the taste bud receptors to make people feel like they have had enough sugar.
• Inhale essential oils like peppermint or lemon, and throw one in your pocket/purse to take with you.
• Just walk away!

Much of what is listed above is backed by very little science, but they just work! One thing may help you more than another so play around and see what helps you combat your cravings. The less we give in to cravings, the more balanced our bodies become and cravings will subside.

Good luck!

If you feel that your sugar craving is out of control, feel free to reach out to me. I'd love to help you get on track.

Text/call 716-601-4784 or email me at pam@trainsmartbuffalo.com