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Here are a few tips that I have used to help me get past grabbing for that candy bar, ice cream, or fruit snack (that I have in the house for my kids)

We should all be eating 5-6 small meals a day, every 2 1/2 -3 hours (if this craving comes at any time between these meals follow the steps below)

1st: Drink a large glass of water

2nd: Get a cup of HERBAL Caffeine Free Tea (any flavor)

if 1 or 2 do not help, proceed to the other options for a fix

• Grab a piece of fruit (berries, apple, orange, melon- low glycemic fruit) OR dried fruit, nuts, and seeds
• Grab a piece of gum, try chewing the gum and waiting until the next time to eat
• Get up and go. When a sugar craving hits, walk away. “Take a walk around the block or [do] something to change the scenery,” to take your mind off the food you’re craving.

LASTLY: if these things stated above do not help you with your sweet/food craving think QUALITY OVER QUANTITY! I am a firm believer in moderation…For example, choose a perfect dark chocolate truffle instead of a king-sized candy bar, then “savor every bite — slowly.”  “Don’t swear off favorites — you’ll only come back for greater portions. Learn to incorporate small amounts in the diet but concentrate on filling your stomach with less sugary and [healthier] options.”

Here are some tips on what you are missing when you crave certain things:

• ChocolateMagnesium Women should be cautious during menstruation, as magnesium levels do drop. Instead, try snacking on natural fruits, nuts, or take a vitamin/mineral supplement.
• Sugar or Simple CarbohydratesProtein & Complex Carbohydrates. A quick science lesson: Carbohydrates break down into sugars. Since sugar metabolizes very quickly, it is not a good source of long term energy. The best source of energy includes protein and complex carbohydrates, which break down much slower. Good examples include brown or wild long-grain rice; and pasta or bread made from wholewheat flour. It is called “wholewheat” because it includes the “whole” kernel, of which the outer shell contains the germ, bran and nutrients of the grain. White rice (Minute Rice) and white flour have been stripped of this goodness, leaving only the inner starch (simple carbohydrates).
• Fried foodsCalcium & OMEGA 3 Fatty Acids OMEGA 3’s are good fat! Try eating more fish, or check your grocery store for milk, cheese, or eggs containing theses essential oils plus calcium (it will state such on the label).
• SaltHydration, Vitamin B, Chloride When you desire something salty, try to drink water instead. Also, stress can lead to a Vitamin B deficiency, so if your experiencing hardship, take a second Vitamin B supplement half way through your day.

***Don’t keep these foods in your house and NEVER go to the grocery stop hungry!

*** Stay around the perimeter in the grocery store, RAW and FRESH is the best way to go! 

The post Tips on avoiding a sweet/ food craving…You don’t want to cheat, it’s not worth it! first appeared on Nikki Kuban Minton.