What’s your top food craving – something salty? Sweet? Or something completely different? I don’t know anyone who DOESN’T get cravings from time to time. But I have another question for you. Do you view food cravings as the enemy, something you should do battle with? Or maybe they feel more like a sign of weakness.
So many people feel that way about cravings – but cravings are actually totally normal. One of the reasons I’ve been talking about intuitive eating this month is that it can empower you so you are no longer controlled by your cravings. Because the fact is, you actually have a choice in the matter!
Let’s say you are going about your business on a normal day … and all of a sudden you start craving pizza. With a diet “all or nothing” mindset, you’re left to white-knuckle your way through the craving if you think you shouldn’t have pizza. You might wonder WHY that craving has come to tempt you from being “good” – because pizza is “bad.” And thinking that it’s bad or off-limits can actually drive your craving to intensify!
With an intuitive eating mindset, you can give up that tug-of-war feeling. First, you take a few minutes to pay attention to your body’s cues and figure out if your craving is just a passing mood, a sign you’re truly hungry, or even whether you are going to have a slice for dinner and then move on with your life.
Some questions to ask yourself:
- Are you physically hungry?
- Is this a habit – do you normally have cravings this time of day?
- Am I being driven by emotion? Do you feel angry, stressed, lonely, bored, or sad?
- Can you shift your mindset for a few minutes so the craving goes away?
So many times, if we simply shift our attention, our craving will completely DISAPPEAR! Whatever decision you do end up making, it will be one that was thoughtfully made. And that’s what it’s all about. When YOU make the decision, you are no longer controlled by your cravings. You are now in control.
“Training your mind to be present in the moment is the #1 key to making healthier choices.” – Susan Albers
Make it an amazing day,
Christina
4 Comments
I think I have a healthy relationship with food. I like to have everything in moderation, I don’t deny myself anything
Honestly, the only time I’ve “craved” something specific to eat was when I was pregnant. The craving was so specific and terrible for my health that I gained 100 pounds! I had rice 3-4 times a day! I don’t think that shifting your attention from a craving when you are pregnant works 🙁
Amazing information. I started lately having a lot of cravings, I guess due to the daily stress I am going through.
Thank you for this information. I never really put much thought into what my cravings mean. This was so helpful.