How To Stop Craving Unhealthy Food

How to stop craving unhealthy food, and take back your power.

Nutrition can become overwhelming for so many, and in turn causing you to give up, and cave into your cravings.

However, there are many helpful solutions to resolve this unhealthy habit, and begin to kick your cravings to the curb.

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What are unhealthy food cravings?

Unhealthy food cravings come from a few signals from our body. Food cravings is a sign that your body is trying to tell you something, and an indication that your body is out of balance.

Often times, when we’re craving unhealthy food, we tend to go after the sugar, and bad fats.

Which can be caused from lack of sleep, causing our hormones to be imbalance. Or an over abundance of stress in our lives, a need for more fuel, nutrient deficiency, or due to unstable emotional needs.

Luckily, there are ways to assist eliminating those unhealthy food cravings, and allow room for a much more healthier, and energetic you.

How To Stop Craving Unhealthy Food:

1. Mindful Eating.

Eating has become a mindless act, causing people to grab food unconsciously, and eat uncontrollably.

Therefore, causing regretful feelings, weight gain, lack of energy, and in some cases, depression.

This leads me to, Mindful Eating. By eating mindfully you instantly turn your attention inward, and make eating an intentional act, instead of a automatic one.

In doing so, your mindfulness will create awareness of what you choose to put in your body, along with distinguishing between emotional or physical hunger needs.

How To Start Mindful Eating:

• Eating to maintain overall health + wellbeing
• Distinguishing between true hunger, and non-hunger (emotional) eating
• Eating slowly
• Eating without distractions (i.e. in front of tv, phone, laptop)
• Notice color, smells, and textures of food
• Engage in how the food your eating makes you feel
• Stop eating when you feel satiated

“Wherever you are, be there completely.”

2. Eat More Nutrient Dense Foods.

Nutrient dense foods are packed with nutrition with less calories. These foods offer vitamins, minerals, lean protein, healthy fat, and complex carbohydrates.

Moreover, indulging in nutrient dense foods will help you stay fuller longer, along with all the other benefits you’re getting from the vitamins, and minerals.

Choosing nutrient dense foods 80% of the time, will assist in obtaining your overall health, and wellbeing.

Examples of Nutrient Dense Foods:

• Salmon
• Shellfish
• Lean Meats
• Kale
• Spinach
• Potatoes
• Oats
• Eggs
• Berries
• Avocados
• Nut Butters
• Broccoli
• Brussels
• Green Beans
• Kiwi
• Bananas
• Cantaloupe
• + More

3. Hydration.

Often times we confuse hunger for thirst. Our bodies may be dehydrated, but we choose food instead.

When you do not consume enough water, your body receives mixed signals on hunger. Dehydration causes you to believe you’re hungry when in fact you actually need liquid intake.

To combat this, make sure you’re drinking 8-11 glasses of water daily. If needed invest in a hydro flask, or something similar. I found that the colder the water, the more I drink, which may help you.

4. Swap For A Healthier Version.

You can kick the cravings, and the calories to the curb by simply swapping out junk food for a much healthier version of the item.

Nowadays, we have access to plenty have healthier versions of that unhealthy food item we crave. Whether that is swapping out cookies, ice cream, fried food, or candy. There is simply something to swap for everyone.

5. Avoid Triggers.

Try to avoid certain foods, places, and people that may trigger your unhealthy habit of eating junk foods.

For instance, going to certain restaurants that have your favorite fried dish, and chocolate lava cake would trigger you to cave into your bad desires of eating that food.

Furthermore, you may have certain friends, or family members that could careless about your goals or eating healthy in general. In this case, I’m not suggesting to completely avoid your friends, I just suggest limiting time with those that may not support you.

6. Weigh Out The Pros + Cons.

Often times, when we take a moment to look at the pros & cons of our food choices, we tend to have a better outcome.

For example, eating this chocolate chip cookie would:

Pro – It tastes good.

Con – Feel guilty, breakout, crave more (binge eat), gain weight, get a sugar crash, stomach ache, etc.

7. Plan & Prep.

Setting yourself up for success is key. It is easier to grab for healthy food when you have already prepped a few meals, and snacks.

Take just an hour every few days to prep a few grab and go meals, and snacks. Trust me it will save yourself from grabbing junk food.

“Fail to plan, and plan to fail.”

8. Keep Unhealthy Food Out of the House.

Eliminating junk food from your home can save you hundreds of calories, weight gain, and guilt.

Quitting unconscious snacking due to easy access is a simple way to reduce calorie intake, and create room for nutrient dense foods.

Out of site, out of mind.

9. Track Your Calories + Macros

This may sound daunting, but trust me, once you have an idea of what your intake should be, it is easy to keep track on an APP.

I recommend my fitness pal, as it offers the most food options, and menus to easily add in, and track your macros for you.

This tactic, will not only give you an understanding of how much energy your actually utilizing, but it will make you self aware, and accountable of the food your feeding your body.

10. Get More Sleep.

Sleep deprivation is one of the leading causes to hunger. As lack of sleep hinders multiple hormones, releases ghrelin (hunger hormone), and slows your metabolism.

Whereas, sufficient sleep allows your body to restore, rebuild, and release HGH, and rebalance your system.

So, be sure you’re getting enough sleep per night.

11. Release Stress.

Poorly managed stress, or chronic stress can have a significant impact on your body.

This can lead to elevated cortisol levels that stimulates your appetite, hinders the fat burning process, and in turn causing weight gain, and other health issues.

Therefore, it is crucial to find ways to reduce your stress levels, such as working out, dance, painting, fishing, nature walks, swimming, etc.

Find what works for you.

12. When In Doubt, Ask For Help.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Even the greatest athletes had fitness coaches, and nutritionists by there side as it wasn’t their specialty.

It’s ok to not know it all. After all, we have specialist in this world for a reason.

Take the time to research, and reach to a professional if needed. Allow yourself freedom, and access to a healthier you sooner than later.