How the Pros Curb Food Cravings
Fresh strategies for kicking unhealthy cravings to the curb.
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Trying to kick your unhealthy food cravings to the curb? These fresh strategies from the pros will help.
Plan on giving in
"Depriving a sweet tooth is a recipe for disaster. Don't cut things out so you binge later. Instead, try allotting up to a fifth of your daily calorie allowance to the sweet of your choice. Every day I have a small package of Paul Newman's Organic Peanut Butter Cups; they're 180 calories for the pack—and I don’t feel deprived."
- Jillian Michaels, trainer and host of the upcoming NBC show Losing It With Jillian and author of Master Your Metabolism
Click here to get more of Jillian's tips.
Faux-fry
"Next time you crave fried onion rings or chicken tenders, try this trick: coat the food with egg whites and a mixture of grated Parmesan cheese, whole-wheat flour, and panko breadcrumbs; spray with a bit of cooking spray, then put it into a 450 degrees oven for 10–15 minutes. You'll have a crispy, healthier treat with the same indulgent taste."
- Rocco DiSpirito, author of NOW EAT THIS!
Collect your candy wrappers
"Instead of throwing away a wrapper after you indulge in something sweet, keep it in a jar. It'll help you be more aware of how much you're eating."
- Susan Albers, PsyD, author of 50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food
Go gourmet
"Sometimes, we keep eating because we don't get that taste hit we're looking for; bland store-bought cookies, weak milk chocolate, and dry baked chips are among the worst offenders. Trade up for the gourmet version—a killer cookie, some intense dark chocolate, olive oil potato chips—and you'll be satisfied with less."
- Janis Jibrin, MS, RD, lead nutritionist at TheBestLife.com
Picture your payoff—literally
"Make a collage with pictures that represent you reaching your goal—and look at it when a craving hits. Then ask yourself if having that doughnut will bring you closer to your goals."
- Chris Downie, author of The Spark and founder of SparkPeople.com
Stop checking e-mail
"Cut out distractions. When your attention isn't diverted, you can truly savor what you're eating—and that satisfaction will help you control mindless snacking or overeating."
- Lillian Cheung, RD, co-author of Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life
More from Health.com:
10 Food Rules to Cut Pain
How to Curb Nicotine Cravings
How to Lower Stress and Reverse Aging
For more great nutrition advice check out iMag's Food Page.
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