10 Ways to Beat Food Cravings

1. Eat Small Amounts Of Healthy Food Regularly: One of the biggest reasons for cravings is the crash in blood sugar which makes you feel like you need something to eat immediately. Eating small amounts of healthy food regularly (every 3-5 hours) ensures you aren't suddenly ravenous when your blood sugar drops.

2. Chew Gum: You can usually stall cravings for something sweet by chewing sugar free gum. It will satisfy the craving, keep your mouth busy and distract you until the craving passes.

3. Brush Your Teeth: Once you feel the cravings coming on, go and brush your teeth. Do a through job and floss too. It's likely you won't want to eat, mess up all of your hard work, and banish the clean feeling you've created in your mouth by eating.

4. Avoid Your Triggers: If there's a vending machine or kitchen cabinet that always tempts you or triggers cravings, avoid it. Dispose of all the goodies that tempt you in that kitchen cabinet and then avoid it altogether. Walk around and avoid any vending machines or treat merchants until they no longer cause your cravings.

5. Break Any Habits That Bring On Cravings: Sometimes, you've unconsciously developed habits that encourage habitual cravings. Examine your schedule and see if you make any habitual trips to the cookie jar or other place where you give in to cravings. Replace the destructive habit with a constructive one. Paint your nails, listen to relaxing music or go for a walk at the same time you use to indulge in any destructive snacking habits.

6. Always Drink Water First: Sometimes you feel ravenously hungry when in fact, you're quite thirsty. Drink an entire glass of water and see if that won't eliminate your feelings of hunder. Not only will you be hydrated, you'll also feel full.

7. Wait For The Craving To Pass: Tell yourself that you'll reevaluate the craving after 15-20 minutes and do something else you find engaging or you enjoy. Often cravings are simply the result of being bored. Chances are, if you find an engaging activity, you'll forget all about the craving.

8. Realize the Cost Is Giving In Is More Than The Calories: Know that giving in to the craving will make it that much harder to say no the next time. Success brings on more success. Each time you conquer a weight loss challenge, the next challenge will be easier.

9. Get Enough Sleep: Many studies suggests that a lack of sleep contributes to a shift of hormones that influence hunger, cravings and appetite. Most people need 8-9 hours of sleep to function on their best level.

10. Make A Healthy Deal: Sometimes you really are hungry and need to eat. But, you don't have give into the craving for the sugar and fat-filled snack. Want something sweet? Go right ahead and have a piece of fruit. Craving chips or something crunchy? Feel free to have carrot sticks with fat free dressing or celery with low fat peanut butter.

Cravings are often initially a given in any health plan. But, over time, there will be less cravings and taking steps to beat the cravings makes this process go even faster.