How to Prevent Cravings
We all have cravings. Sometimes it’s for something salty, sometimes it’s for something sweet, other times it’s for something random. No matter what it’s for, it’s always hard to resist caving in. Cravings aren’t all in your mind—they’re often caused by your body’s hormones becoming imbalanced or issues with your diet. This means, with some small lifestyle changes, you can easily cut down on the cravings. Before making any diet changes, be sure to check with your doctor first.
Don’t skip meals
Trying to eat less can actually make you eat more. When your body gets really hungry, it may crave high-calorie, unhealthy foods to make up for it. Eat regular meals to prevent yourself from getting too hungry. If it’s not mealtime and you feel yourself starting to get hungry, have a healthy snack.
Drink a lot of water
Your body sometimes confuses being hungry for being thirsty. Be sure to drink water throughout the day. Drink extra water if it’s hot out or you’ve been exercising.
Get plenty of sleep
Missing out on sleep may mess with your body’s hormones and cause you to eat more and gain more weight. Most adults need anywhere from 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night.
Eat more protein
Protein is an essential nutrient that is good for your body in a lot of ways, such as helping your body grow and strengthening your immune system. It also works well at keeping your body feeling full for longer, so make sure your meals include at least some protein. If you’re eating meat, be sure to eat lean cuts (like chicken breast, pork tenderloin or beef sirloin) to reduce the amount of cholesterol-raising saturated fat you eat.
Take the Blue Health Assessment
The Blue Health Assessment can help you get on track toward improving your lifestyle and eating right to reduce cravings. All you need to do is answer a few questions about your health and you’ll receive a personalized action plan toward getting healthy. It takes just 10 minutes to finish, and Standard and Basic Option members may be eligible to earn $50 on their MyBlue® Wellness Card for completing it.
