If you are trying to stick to a plan, cravings are often the biggest hurdle. It doesn’t help that we transition from one “sweet” holiday to another. For those that love sweets, this can be a particularly challenging time with Valentine’s Day around the corner.
For most people cravings primarily occur late at night, during a mid-day slump, or just before your menstrual cycle. The causes of these cravings can vary widely but hormonal imbalances like low blood sugar and low serotonin levels are at the top of the list. Imbalanced eating habits can also play a huge role in creating increased cravings.
Tips to prevent cravings:
- Protein – include it in each meal. Options would include meat or fish, nuts and seeds, legumes, tofu, hemp seeds, quinoa. Talk to your ND for the right amount and type for you!
- Snacking – Snacking even when you are not particularly hungry will help you to avoid the mid afternoon slump. A handful of nuts and seeds in the morning, will help you to avoid those carb and sugar cravings in the mid afternoon and in the evening.
- Reduce the Carbs – Make sure that you are having no more than a fist sized portion of grains or starchy vegetables with each meal. Eating more than this will contribute to more sugar cravings
- Eat Lots of Veggies – Aim for 2 cups of above ground veggies with each meal
- Increase your Fibre – Fibre will help to keep you full. Try adding 2 Tbsp of chia or flax seeds to your breakfast!