Once a craving strikes, it’s hard not to act on it. Try this scientific approach to picking a choice. If the answer is yes, the body is likely hungry, and if the answer is no, a person may be having a craving. Your body will thank you for it. This may also make a trip to the convenience store, fast food restaurant, or vending machine less tempting. Plan your meals ahead and make sure to have a healthy snack by your side if you are prone to craving attacks. Mental games.
April 21, The office snack stash can be brutally tempting — and you have to stare it down five days a week. Completely ignoring cravings can have negative consequences, so it may be a good idea to plan times to eat otherwise restricted foods. Mindful eating is related to the general practice of mindfulness. Distract yourself. Chew gum. If the craving hits in the mid-morning, try moving breakfast forward by an hour or lunch back by an hour.
Vegetarians who have meat cravings may not be getting enough iron. Good news: An ongoing study at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University found that while 94 percent of dieting participants report cravings, they are still able to shed pounds by managing the impulse. Related Articles. Method 1 of 3. However, this problem can be solved by replacing junk foods with healthy snacks. You’ve probably been told to walk off your cravings, and science actually backs the simple technique up: A study found that going on a brisk, minute walk can reduce cravings, helping you get a little exercise and avoid devouring that chocolate bar you’ve been drooling over. No, they won’t give you the exact same pleasure, but you’ll get enough gratification to hold you over until the craving fades. Who knew that playing a game on your phone can help reduce cravings?