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Do Junk Food Cravings Control Your Health?

 

We all have our favorite tastes and weak spots when we are shopping in stores full of candy, cookies, potato chips and soft drinks.

Even though we know that we would be healthier and a lot thinner if we bought salad ingredients and fresh vegetables, we still come home from the store with a bag of potato chips or a box of cookies in our bags…or both.

So, what can we do about this diet busting habit?  Try some of the techniques below.

The simplest, but most powerful technique is to eat a good breakfast that fills you up.  After sleeping all night, you are effectively fasting and a healthy breakfast will delay your rush to the vending machine for that cinnamon roll that is burning a hole in your mind.

Pack a healthy lunch and some snacks, like string cheese, a small bag of nuts, dried fruit, like cranberries, blueberries, raisins, a small bag of crunchy vegetables, etc.  A thermos of hot coffee will make you feel good and less deprived.  Instead of adding sugar and cream, use low-fat milk and a sugar substitute.  Carry some bottled water to avoid resorting to sodas.

Old cravings are very difficult to eliminate.  Just don’t expect to change everything about your old eating habits the first day.  It is far more productive to change one thing at a time.  How do you do that? Quit buying one unhealthy “treat” and exchange it for something better for your body, like fresh fruit or more vegetables.  Continue that process for a week or two before you drop another “treat.”

If you pour sugar into your morning coffee, switch to a sugar substitute.  If you have some favorite food or treat that you know is unhealthy and
are disturbed by the thought of never eating it again, go ahead and eat it once in a while.  Don’t feel that you are cheating or about to destroy your determination to better your health.  Just go on with your pursuit of a healthier body.

What do I do?  I have an endless craving for bacon.  I often buy a package, but don’t eat it right away.  It is a comfort to know it is in the refrigerator or freezer and that I don’t have  to eat it now.  I space it out and have a bacon and tomato sandwich every couple of weeks.

It works for me.  Discover what works for you and follow it.

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