Posted on September 17, 2013 by Jenny Cromack

Most food companies these days seem to be obsessed with adding fats, sugars and salt to their food products. Of course they shouldn’t, but for them it’s all about making their food tempting but at the lowest possible cost, so they can maximise their profits.

 

So before we progress, I want to make this really clear, 99.9% of the food companies don’t care what is in your food as long as you find it tasty and it makes them money! If it wasn’t for the food guidelines established in this country there would be a hell of a lot more terrible things in your food. The fats, sugars and salt are all added to get you hooked on these unhealthy foods. However by following the tips below you can destroy these cravings for good.

• Know your weaknesses– There are two types of cravings….those that people occasionally eat a bit of, and those horrible cravings that have you licking crumbs from the bag then tearing your house apart looking for some more! Once you know what sends you mad its simple, steer clear of them , for example do not have foods like this in the house. It’s not a weakness avoiding certain foods, it’s being smart.

• Understand your cravings– Most people aren’t actually craving a certain food, actually what is more likely is that their body maybe deficient in one or two of the micronutrients that are found in this food. However if you starting including these micronutrients in your diet through healthy sources then your cravings should disappear. Have a look below and increase the micronutrient missing if you’re craving any of the following:

• Chocolate– Increase your intake of magnesium. On a side note the reason women crave chocolate during menstruation is due to the drop in magnesium, try snacking on nuts or increasing your magnesium intake during your meals. Dark leafy greens are packed with magnesium.

• Simple carbohydrates– Increase your protein and complex carbohydrate intake. Your body is looking for a quick energy boost, if your diet is good and clean through the day these cravings won’t exist at all.

• Fried foods– Increase you calcium and omega 3 fatty acid intakes. Consume items like eggs, salmon and broccoli for high amounts of these.

• Salt– Increase your hydration, amount of vitamin B and Chloride. If you’re stressed your Vitamin B levels will drop dramatically, consume more foods rich in this essential micronutrient.

• Replace the ritual- You don’t need dessert after dinner, you don’t need a flapjack with your coffee, nor do you need popcorn at the movies.  A lot of the food we ingest has become ritualised and habitual, write down a food diary and see if you can spot the patterns. Spend 3 weeks after this going cold turkey on them and I bet the cravings won’t be there!

• Avoid boredom– Keep yourself active or busy. If you are consumed in the activity you’re doing you won’t be thinking about food. It always makes me smile when I hear people talk about their food cravings at work, I instantly know that their focus is not 100% on their work, when you’re working hard on something time slips away and you need reminding that you haven’t had a drink or meal in 6 hours.