Not giving in to cravings for junk foods are one of life’s most serious challenges. Your stomach says yes, yes, yes, but your mind says, no, no, no! What do you do? Most of us just cave and eat away, but those impulses can often times become for frequent and over time your body becomes less and less healthy.
Here are 9 things you can do to ensure you get rid of those nasty junk food cravings for good!
1. Step away from temptation.
Junk food may seem like it is everywhere but it’s really not. There is no junk food in your car or home unless you put it there or someone you live with brings it. Step away from the junk food by not buying it, asking family members not to bring it into your house, and avoiding places where you are tempted to purchase junk food.
2. Identify cravings correctly.
You may think you have a craving for chocolate or chips, but there is a good chance your cravings are not for junk but something else. You may be bored, feel lonely or sad, need to talk to a friend, or be in need of some fresh air.
3. Learn how bad the junk food really is.
4. Move on after a mess up.
If you give in to junk food cravings one day, just move on the next day. Don’t dwell on your mistake or just give up and eat more junk. The less junk food you eat the faster the cravings will go away.
5. Know your weak times.
Even at 300 pounds I didn’t crave junk food from morning to night. I had pockets of time where the junk food cravings were the strongest. I learned what those times were and so should you. Many people crave junk food during the afternoon doldrums or late at night.
6. Have healthy alternatives ready.
If you are craving a candy bar from the vending machine and have your $0.75 in your hand and no healthy alternative, what are you likely to do? You are likely to plop those quarters in the machine and chow down. Have healthy alternatives ready such as fruit, granola bars, trail mix, or water spiked with a bit of fruit juice.
7. Be prepared to wait.
8. Remove yourself from the situation.
There are times when junk food cravings arise because you are in a situation where junk food is everywhere. For example, one time I was at a ladies’ night out party and there was an entire table dedicated to chocolate. I became increasingly miserable as I wanted to eat every food item on that table. I knew if I had just a taste I would fall into the chocolate abyss because I wasn’t feeling mentally strong right then. So I thanked the hostess and left.
9. Exercise the cravings away.
If you are craving junk food, try going for a walk or lifting weights for 15 or 20 minutes. The endorphins from exercise will help offset the junk food cravings and you will likely find the cravings are gone once you have finished your quick workout.
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