How to Stop Food Cravings
November 28th, 2008Food cravings can spell disaster for someone on a healthy diet. In some cases, you can trace your cravings to an emotional need or a hormonal impulse. Yes, it’s true! Just look at chocolate. It increases serotonin levels and elevates your mood when you’re depressed.
The other cause of cravings can come from an actual physical need for a specific nutrient. Whatever the source of your craving, there’s hope…here are some helpful tips to try:
Add Amino Acids
These amino acids – Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), Tyrosine, Gamma Aminobutyric Acid -can increase the activity of serotonins and other neurotransmitters in your brain. As a result, cravings for sugar may disappear as well as other mood disorders that might cause you to overeat.
Take the right supplements
Do you eat enough fruit and vegetables? Most people don’t…if you’re in that group, you should take a whole food nutritional supplement. Synthetic vitamins can do more harm than good. A lack of good nutrition can make your blood sugar out of balance and cause cravings for unhealthy foods.
Increase your essential fatty acid levels.
There is a correlation between high levels of the essential fatty acids and high levels of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that boosts your mood. EFA’s, like Omega 3′s and Omega 6′s, come from taking flaxseed or eating certain kinds of fish.
Take a Walk!
Walking, or any form of exercise, can increase your energy and take your mind off whatever it is you want to eat. It gets your metabolism going and burns fat which will help you overcome your craving.
Drink Water!
Sometimes people confuse thirst with hunger. Drink a big glass of water at the first sign of your craving and it may help to stop or at least control it.
Controlling your food cravings is the hardest part of sticking to a healthy diet plan. But with these helpful tips, you can at least learn to work with your body instead of fighting it.
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- Whole Food Vitamins Better than Food?
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