Tuesday, January 27, 2015

5 Ways to Overcome Unhealthy Temptations or Cravings

It's Tuesday and I am linking up with hosts Jessica Joy and Jill Conyers for their The Fit Dish Link-Up every Tuesday.
Today's topic is "How do you overcome unhealthy temptations or cravings?" What a great question as I sometimes still have problems with this. It will be great to read what others will be posting on this topic. Thinking about what to write for this question also reminded me a lot about the post I wrote back in October, Halloween Candy Craving Crushers. I am going to incorporate some of the reasons I gave on how to tame the sweet tooth for this post as I think they can apply here as well. 

Here are 5 ways that can help overcome those unhealthy temptations or cravings:

1) Don't buy it or don't eat out. If it's not there, you can't eat it. An example, I was naughty after Christmas and bought a bag of snack size Twix that was 75% off. I couldn't help it as when can you buy a bag of Twix for $0.90? When I knew it was there, it was easy for me to grab a piece. However, now that it is no longer there, I don't have the temptation. Lesson, don't buy it! If you do happen to buy candy or other treats you crave, you can also hide it. Have your spouse or a friend hide it so you won't know where it is! I would like to think out of sight out of mind on the unhealthy stuff. Instead buy healthier food when at the grocery. Skip on the Twix, chips and ice cream but rather get healthier snacks like pretzels, grapes, and strawberries. If you crave fast food don't eat out. Instead make your meals at home (maybe a healthier version of what you crave) where you know exactly what is going into your body.

2) Exercise or go for a run. I have found that if I exercise or go for a run, I won't think about unhealthy food. After exercise, I tend to not have bad cravings. I get in the healthy happy mode and no longer need the bad stuff. However, if I do happen to eat something unhealthy I don't feel so bad since I just exercised. :)

3) Drink water or tea. This helps as it keeps the cravings down. When I drink lots of water or tea, I feel fuller and it decreases the need for unnecessary and unhealthy foods.

4) Keep track or write it down. I have found that if you keep track of what you have eaten, it helps beat out the unhealthy temptations or cravings. Using the app MyFitnessPal is great for this as you can see all the calories in everything you eat. This will make you think about how many calories and fat/sugar etc. is in itLooking at the ingredients and how many calories one little snack size chocolate bar or whatever unhealthy craving, can be an eye opener and deter you from eating it. It's happened to me lots of times, but sometimes I justify myself because I exercised hard or ran a certain number of miles that day. Either way, looking at the label can be good, just so you know what it is you are eating and exactly how many calories are in it.

5) Eat a small unhealthy treatIf you can't stop yourself from actually eating something unhealthy, limit yourself. Limiting the amount helps. Just pick out the one or two pieces (if candy) or cut/make a small portion, then take the rest of it away. Portion control can help you not eat the whole bag, whole cake, or tub of ice cream! :) 

Those are ways that help me beat the unhealthy cravings, what do you do?

16 comments:

  1. Jen Rawson @ Pretty Little GruJanuary 27, 2015 at 6:25 AM

    Keeping track is a great idea. Whenever I've tracked my food knowing I have to write it down really makes me think twice before eating something.

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  2. Accountability is always a great way to keep yourself in check! I like to keep track too. I'm also famous for thinking about how many minutes of spinning I have to do to burn off one cookie - sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't lol

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  3. YES, you are so right! If it's in the house, I will eat it! Since I can't maintain myself and just eat a small bite, I just can't have it near. I also totally agree that keeping track helps a lot. If you know what you're eating, you can swap it out for a less calorie dense more nutrient dense food. Great tips! Have a great week!!

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  4. My problem is that I don't buy treats, so when I'm around them other places I have ZERO self control.

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  5. It definitely helps and makes you think before eating and if it is really worth it or not!

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  6. Yeah, I hear ya! I like to think about how many miles I need to run if I eat this treat and if it's worth it or not. ;)

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  7. Yup, I hear ya! It's a lot harder when it's around because it can be so tempting. Also when you track food it helps to see if it's really worth it or not. Thanks Diane! You have a great week too!

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  8. Great that you don't buy treats, but I can see how it would be hard when you go other places and see them. You can always have a little but stop at that. It's all about moderation.

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  9. Great tips! I try to buy healthier versions of snacks and limit my intake. Drinking Shakeology helps for me too.

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  10. I've been craving sweets like crazy lately! I just try to keep the stuff out of sight and out of the house as much as I can...these are all great tips!

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  11. Thanks Janelle! Yeah same here. I think it's the cold weather we're having. ;)

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  12. I never go out to eat either! :P Definitely helps me to save a whole buttload of money! Also definitely with you on the exercising and the staying hydrated part (I really need to work on the latter though!)!

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  13. Great tips....I made a mistake of buying TJs Cookie Butter Ice Cream... I'm enjoying it now...but not going to buy it again for awhile :)

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  14. Yes!! Not eating out saves a ton! Exercising and hydration help a lot! :)

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  15. Thanks Jenny! Oh I haven't tried TJs Cookie butter, sounds so good! Maybe a treat I will have in moderation sometime. :p

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