Everyone struggles with food cravings to some degree. Contrary to popular belief, cravings are normal and a part of the human experience.
The problem arises when you feed your cravings with unhealthy foods. And let’s be honest, the average American is not reaching for a banana when craving something sweet...
As a holistic nutritionist for over twenty years, I’ll help you dive into the raw truth about your junk food cravings and how to stop them.
Understanding Cravings
Your mind fixates on the sweet taste of ice cream. You can smell it. You can feel the warm sun on your skin as your stomach growls. It’s cooling and refreshing, yet sweet and rich. Your memory latches on to the experience and you cannot think of anything else until you get your hands on that sweet vanilla waffle cone with extra sprinkles. We all know the feeling. This is a craving.
Cravings are intense desires for specific foods that are triggered by physiological, psychological, and environmental factors, like stress, hormones, and/or nutritional deficiencies.
What most people do not understand is that your cravings have meaning. They’re your body’s markers for what you may be deficient in. For example- if you’re craving something sweet, you need to eat more fruit and if you’re craving something salty, you need to eat more greens.
Feed Your Cravings Healthfully
The Dark Side of Cravings
Cravings help you understand exactly what your body needs. The issue with this is that when you eat junk food regularly, you’re more likely to make poor food choices because it’s all your body knows.
Companies quite literally make these processed foods manipulate your tastebuds (and other senses) to make you want them. There’s a reason why when you drive by famous fast food chains you smell those French fries (this is done on purpose so that you crave the food and become a customer).
These highly processed foods are made with low-quality ingredients like inflammatory oils, refined sugars, gums, dyes, preservatives, and “natural” flavors. They have virtually no nutritional value which often leads to overeating and food addiction, weight gain, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and more.
Most interesting of all is these foods also affect your psyche. Foods like refined carbohydrates and sugars are addicting and set off the dopamine receptors in your brain in the same way that drugs do.[1].
Big food companies know exactly what they’re doing to make money off your cravings and eating habits.
Take Control of Your Cravings
Luckily, it’s not all doom and gloom. You can take control of your cravings.
One way to do so is through mindful eating. Eat whole foods, like plenty of fresh fruits, veggies, and healthy whole grains. Your protein intake should consist of nuts, seeds, beans, and wild-caught fish or organic/pastured beef, eggs, or chicken if you eat animal products. Healthy fats, like avocado are great to have later on in the day to help promote ideal digestion and reduce bloating.
Despite what you may have read in diet magazines, the worst mistake you can make is limiting your carb and fruit intake ESPECIALLY if you have sugar cravings. Your body needs sugar to thrive, but from healthy foods found in nature— not ones made in a lab. Always have healthy snacks prepared, like fruits and sliced veggies to help you stay on track.
This one may be obvious, but hydration is key. Drink water and cold-pressed juices to stay hydrated. This will naturally reduce cravings. Drink a glass of water (or eight).
Another key to controlling your cravings is prioritizing sleep. Many Americans are sleep-deprived. Lack of sleep impacts your weight and overall health. How? Your hormones become easily disrupted when you do not get enough sleep. When your hunger hormones are disrupted (like leptin which signals fullness to your brain), your appetite and cravings for sugary foods increase inhibiting weight loss and wellness goals [2]. This can also negatively impact your mental health.
Nutritious foods, prioritizing sleep, and drinking your water are imperative here, but sometimes it’s easier said than done.
Satisfy Cravings With The Sweet Treats Dessert Pack
For many of us, healthy eating is easier said than done. Between juggling work and family and social life if you’re lucky— who has the time to surf the web for a recipe to bake a healthy treat? My guess is not many of us (myself included).
This is why I’ve carefully curated the Sweet Treats Dessert Pack. This pack was designed to virtually crush your cravings without the icky ingredients. Or the guilt of eating one too many chocolate chip cookies...
Satisfy your cravings while experiencing the health benefits of good-for-you ingredients.
Satisfy Your Cravings Guilt-Free
Benefits of The Sweet Treats
The Sweet Treats Dessert pack offers a ton of benefits.
Packed with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants— each bottle provides a nutritional boost that supports your overall health and wellness goals.
These ready-to-drink bottles are ready to go without any preparation needed. No need to go to the grocery store or bake a thing. You can enjoy this as a healthy snack , mealtime replacement, or an after-dinner dessert.
Plus, you get to lose weight while you drink delicious nutritionist-developed smoothies (Hint: If weight loss is your goal, use these as a meal, rather than as a snack).
These flavors are out of this world. From Cookies & Cream to Peanut Butter Cup the variety of sweets can satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.
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