3 Ways to Crush Your Cravings

You said buh-bye to sugar. You gave chips the heave-ho and you’ve been working out like Jane Fonda with a new pair of leg warmers. So why, oh why do you still get junk food cravings?

You know those days when you refuse the glazed donuts at work, politely decline the deep fried chicken wings at lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon polishing your dietary halo, until… you walk in the house at the end of the day and suddenly dry cereal with peanut butter and raw cookie dough sounds like the most appealing meal you’ve ever eaten? Yup. THAT right there… that was my every day life.

Sometimes cravings are mental. Other times (err, MANY times) they are emotional. But SOMETIMES they are actually nutritional. You mean food is about more than just filling a space in the emotional cavity of your heart? Yes. Yes it is.

So, next time the munchies strike, try my 3 ways to crush your cravings and help you satisfy even the strongest booty call from the pantry so you can stop sabotaging your weight loss and get to the (apple) core of the problem.

1. Craving the Sweet Stuff?

One of my faaaavourite snacks is frozen berries. I keep a stash of them in the freezer all year round because firstly, they are delicious and secondly, frozen berries are a saucy little minx that is happy to date a wide variety of other foods such as smoothies and even detox water (and just on the down low, sometimes I add a splash of coconut cream, some banana and nut butter to make a heavenly, creamy dessert. The berries and banana will satisfy your sweet tooth, coconut cream adds some creaminess and nut butter adds essential fats and protein. Throw some cacao nibs for an extra magnesium hit and you’ll be loaded with so much antioxidant goodness, you won’t even miss the fake sugar high!)

2. Craving the Salty Stuff?

We all have a go-to response for salty cravings and mine, was a packet of cheap-ass potato chips, swimming in heart-clogging oil and sprinkled with enough salt to raise the blood pressure of a sloth. Thankfully, these days I have a new weapon. Still chips? Heck yeah!I was not about to let those little babies go in a hurry. But this time, they’re green like the Incredible Hulk and sooo much better for your heart, your blood pressure, AND your sexy booty. Kale chips are the new potato chip and they’re so easy to make (and eat) that you’ll wonder how you ever crushed a craving without them. These little greens slices of heaven soak your cells with the manganese you may be lacking (hence the crazy cravings) and they taste like unicorns dancing on your tongue! How can you get said unicorns to dance on your tongue? Easy! Simply rinse and pat dry fresh kale leaves, brush them with a good quality olive oil and top with shredded parmesan cheese, sea salt or whatever spices float your culinary boat. Spread evenly on a baking tray and bake in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes at 180 degrees (160 degrees fan forced) Devour immediately.

3. Craving the Carby Stuff?

As perculiar as this sounds, if you have an uncontrollable hankering for some bread, you may actually be needing protein. Whaa? Yup. True story. Adding some healthy protein to your dinner plate such as mercury free fish (trust me, your brain cells will thank you), organic eggs or organic chicken can cut those cravings off at the pass. You can even snack on a small plate of beans or nuts to help you curb those cravings on the spot!

Finally, when the that chocolate cake in the refrigerator sends you a booty call at 1am, hang up the phone . Getting to know what your cravings really mean is the first step to cracking the emotional eating code and creating a happier, healthier and slimmer you!

Sending you crazy amounts of luuurve,