Getting Rid of Cravings

Does anyone have any ways that they get rid of cravings. Like if you really want chocolate or something sweet, what do you do to make yourself stop thinking about it or not want it anymore?

One thing I do, is if I have a craving, I use strong mouthwash. Usually when I have that minty taste in my mouth I don't want to eat anything because it tastes terrible.

I usually try to find lower calorie and/or healthier alternatives.

I look up the nutritionals on it then think about what eating it would do to my body!  That usually kills it because the things I truly crave are pretty bad!

And actually, oddly enough, if I'm craving something like cookies or cake, just seeing it is enough to kill my cravings.  If I'm at the store I'll make a trip by the bakery just to look! haha

That one may not work for everyone though =P

Edit: What gadzooks said works too!  It's kinda fun =)

I tend to simply indulge in my cravings, albeit in a moderate manner, and modify my later meals to account for the unexpected caloric intake earlier in the day. But, if do I go over my daily goal because of indulging, it isn't that big of a deal to me anyway, since 100 or 200 calories over my daily goal one or another day isn't devastating to my weekly caloric deficit numbers. Indulgence is not compulsion, however. Also, self-discipline and/or long-term self-interest often lead to forgoing these cravings altogether. So, indulge or forgo. I'm sorry if I'm not of much help. >_<

Drink a bottle of water... 500mls or 16oz....

And then look at photos of morbidly obese people, thats sure to put you off

your mouth wash idea is pretty good! (same goes for tooth paste)

One thing I do if the food I'm craving is right in front of me is take a deep breath and give myself permission before I eat it. Ussually I can't give myself permssion (because I know it will sabotage the diet) and move on (to a glass of water, or tea, or raisins - actually raisins work really well because even just three raisins is good to satisfy my sweet tooth!)

But the truth is self control is so hard!

Cravings are often your bodies way of telling your missing something Chocolate for instance is usually the B vitimans.   Craving weird things like dirt, paint chips, or even dirty rock salt can signal that your Iron is way to low.    The best way to over come a craving or keep cravings at bay is to take a good multi vitiman every day.

Original Post by dieingtobethin:

And then look at photos of morbidly obese people, thats sure to put you off

 How very sensitive of you.  BTW, nice name..........

suck on a single dark chocolate chip...

Original Post by dieingtobethin:

And then look at photos of morbidly obese people, thats sure to put you off

 Mature.

Original Post by ladykelien:

Cravings are often your bodies way of telling your missing something Chocolate for instance is usually the B vitimans.   Craving weird things like dirt, paint chips, or even dirty rock salt can signal that your Iron is way to low.    The best way to over come a craving or keep cravings at bay is to take a good multi vitiman every day.

This is what I think happens, your body is asking for something that is contained within the thing you are craving. Though I'm yet to see any science behind it :)

I personally think that if you are really craving something, have it in moderation and then get back to being disciplined. If I really want something sweet and don't have a lower calorie alternative I will indulge in whatever it is but then try and make up for it over the next few days.

Lately I've been having sweet cravings. Mainly because I've cut out most of the sugary stuff in my diet. I tried fruit to calm it but that didn't work. I knew it had to be chocolate, so I had a Jaffa cake bar (by McVities - available in the UK). It was only 129 calories and did the trick. Normally I'd probably grab a Snickers or some other chocolate which is around 300 calories.

I don't feel too bad about these and see it as a treat. Just try and find an alternative. Low fat stuff often doesn't taste as good. I usually go for the normal version.

The idea should be that we change our lifestyle so we have everything in moderation. I want my lifestyle to be inclusive of all things but with the emphasis on eating healthy most of the time and ensuring that I get enough exercise. I don't want to be in a state where I have to watch every single ingredient I'm consuming for the rest of my life.

Sometimes you gotta give in to your craving and the main thing to learn is how to control yourself from binging on the stuff.

I'll try and drink a TON of water, just to see if its a craving or actual hunger that I'm feeling.

Try substituting something else too...like if what you really want is some salty potato chips, go for something else kinda salty but better for you like a handful of almonds.

And I like what gadzooks said-try getting online and look for a low cal low fat option! Most of the time when I start doing that I can distract myself from feeling hungry anyways...of course then when you find a really good recipe you need to actually make it haha.

if youre craving something sweet then eat something spicy like 1tsp of salsa or some crushed chillies even - like 5cal and you probably wont want to eat anything after that! i have quite a high tolerance for spicy foods though..

I must know how to beat the sugar cravings...anyone have any suggestions?

I read somewhere that if you can just hold off and not give into your cravings they will go away....I know it's hard....I just throw gum in my mouth

Original Post by misstennisqt:

Does anyone have any ways that they get rid of cravings. Like if you really want chocolate or something sweet, what do you do to make yourself stop thinking about it or not want it anymore?

One thing I do, is if I have a craving, I use strong mouthwash. Usually when I have that minty taste in my mouth I don't want to eat anything because it tastes terrible.

 

 Cravings are actually my biggest problem. I could lose what I wanted if not for this addiction to all things chocolate and sugary sweet. Usually the craving wins out, not the other way around. It's like I don't feel "complete" until I have it....lots of it. I damn the FDA for this. I actually must be allergic to the food, because of the high amount of cravings it causes.

when i get a craving for something, lets say im craving a brownie, and ill cut the brownie into sections for how ever many people there are in the room. for example: if my mom and my two cousins are in the room ill cut the brownie into four sections and ill just eat my section. (if no ones in the room ill go to where theres people) I eat it very very slowly so it seems like im eating a whole brownie. that trick usually stops my cravings since im getting what i want, only a smaller portion. this may not work for everyone though.

I think after a few months of a healthy lifestyle, the cravings will go away. If they don't, just indulge. If you don't you'll end up eating more later. If they are always there, try eating a mutrition bar that tastes like candy, i.e. Zone Bars.

I usually eat a slice of dark chocolate with sea salt on top..

its good, and enough to stop the sugar and salt cravings

Green tea always works for me. Try some without caffeine if it is close to bed time. Drink it after you eat a meal and you'll feel more satisfied. If you drink it without sugar it's fine.

i used to have major problems with mad carb cravings, but ever since i gradually started the Paleo diet (no grains but a lot of fruit, veggies, nuts, dairy and meat) i don't feel as adicted to sugar as i used to. However, i still have cravings occassioanally and i sometimes end up bingeing :S but these days i think my cravings are simply psychological e.g. my body isn't addicted to sugar anymore its just the habit that i had that's stuck with me :S I'm really struggling with how to deal with the bingeing and the only way for me is to just move away from the food = go outdoors for example. Wonder if anyone's got a miracle cure for this (haha wishful thinking :P)..