cravings are usually a sign of some kind of deficiency. they are nothing unusual if you are on a diet and it can be because some foods are off-limits, but most of the time cravings root in nutrient deficiencies or blood sugar imbalances. women, for example, crave sweet foods and chocolate before their period. this kind of craving is a clear sign of magnesium deficiency and can be beaten by increasing magnesium intake.
here are a few tips for beating all kinds of cravings:
-make sure you consume enough of good fats and that they are balanced. don't limit yourself to nuts, but make sure you also consume enough fatty fish, avocados, oils. supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids is always a good idea. most of the times when we crave sth sweet, our body actually needs good fats.
-don't stick to the same meal plan but vary your food. yes, sure, it's much easier to prep meals when you keep eating the very same thing every day, but by limiting your food choice, you also limit the type of nutrients.
-avoid processed foods which have no nutrients and are usually loaded with chemicals and sugar that after an insulin spike sneds you into hypoglycemia. and that's where the cravings start. eat fresh and natural.
-keep telling yourself that there are no foods that are off-limits. you just have to wait for the right time to consume them.
-make sure you consume enough calories for your daily activities. remember, if you want to lose fat, a small deficit is enough. the lower you go with the calories, the hungrier you'll feel and the more you'll crave foods that you probably didn't even use to eat before.
-drink plenty of water. carb cravings are usually a sign of dehydration. carbs bring water to the cells and if these feel dehydrated, you'll start to crave carbohydrates.
-eat 5-7 small well-balanced meals a day
-find sth/ sb that keeps you motivated. stay focused on your goals and remember why you started.
there's a difference between real hunger and a craving. if you don't feel like eating fruits or veggies, then you are not hungry. most people confuse cravings and hunger. if you want to eat a particular food, don't just go and grab it, but rather plan ahead when you can insert that into your meal plan. for example - want to have pizza? plan a dinner with your friends and family and make sure you get good workout before you head to the restaurant. want to have chips? cut out carbs and fats from a meal and have your chips with lean protein.
if you have a well-balanced diet and your body doesn't feel deprived, cravings shouldn't be a problem. there's no food that is off-limit. but it's good to know that the consumption of certain foods must be limited to preserve your health and prevent illness.
#cravings #nutrientdeficiency #chcoloate #sweets #mealprep #goodfats
No comments:
Post a Comment