It has been a while since I have written a post. I took a short break as I was hardly home and travelling all over the place. Now that September is here and my travels are winding down, I have time to type away with fresh ideas. Today’s fitness post is about combatting chocolate cravings.
Cravings are usually a sign that a nutrient is lacking in your diet. Studies show that food cravings are caused by regions of the brain that are responsible for memory, pleasure and reward. It is an intense desire for a specific food. We all experience cravings differently. It usually is for junk and processed foods that are high in sugar, fat, and salt.
There are ways to reduce unwanted food cravings:
Drink more water:
Sometimes our bodies mistake thirst for hunger. If you think you are hungry, drink around 350ml – 500ml of water. It can take up to 15 minutes for the cravings to curb. One thing that I do is drink water around my meal times to ensure that I’m well hydrated. If you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated.
Reduce stress levels:
Stress is a big one for me. When stress levels are as high as your bun, your cravings shoot up. Cravings caused by stress can lead to high cortisol levels, gaining weight in the mid-section area. If you are stressed, go for walk, change your environment and do something that relaxes you in order to reduce that crave.
Eat more protein:
By eating high quality sources of protein, you will feel fuller for longer. Try pairing up your meals and snacks with lean meats, fish, beans, pulses, nuts and seeds etc.
Don’t skip meals:
Skipping meals takes you right to the mountain of cravings. By keeping a consistent and regular schedule with your nutrition will help calm those cravings.
However, substituting alternative foods for your cravings, especially if you are lacking a specific nutrient, can satisfy certain chocolate cravings.
- If you need sugar, sprinkle some cinnamon into your meal to help regulate your blood sugar levels. Eat whole fruits like peaches, berries and melons. Keep some dried fruits (if you like them) such as raisins to combats the cravings on the go.
- If you need chocolate, it means that your body is lacking magnesium. Throw in some dark leafy greens like spinach, whole grains, almonds, nuts, seeds, beans or fish into your diet. If chocolate is the only thing that can make the situation better for you, aim for dark chocolate 70% and above. Dark chocolate also gives you some antioxidants.
- If you need salt, substitute your go-to salty snack with some popcorn, nuts (in moderation) such as cashews and walnuts.
How do you combat your cravings? Comment down below and let me know ☺️
Until next time,
FolakemiOlamide
