What To Do When You Crave Sweets
You’re home at night on your couch watching your favorite TV show. This is your time to unwind and decompress after a long day. Suddenly it hits you, that nagging craving for something sweet.
Everyone has had this feeling at some point in their lives; it’s a completely human experience! At times it may be best to just satisfy the craving. Have the cookie and move on.
But what if we are having that cookie craving daily? What if one cookie turns into the entire sleeve in the pack? This is where things are not so black and white, and as with most things in life, there is not a single solution.
A good first step is asking the right questions:
Where is this craving coming from?
With our behaviors, we are almost always trying to solve a problem. Cravings are not always completely random. Maybe you’re anxious about the things you have to do the next day. Maybe it was something that happened at work this morning. Maybe there is something in your life that you feel you don’t have control over.
We are looking for something to make us feel better, which is a completely normal response. Learning how to sit with uncomfortable feelings is not easy, it takes practice. Next time the craving hits, dig a little deeper with yourself and see if you can identify the root of it.
Now that we’ve identified the cause, maybe we make the decision to indulge but maybe we don’t. Now what? Here are some actions to take when we feel the cravings are out of control:
Wait 10 Minutes
Wait 10 minutes after you feel the craving. Once the time is done, there may be a chance that you don’t actually want something sweet after all. Let it pass.
Choose an Alternative
If you crave sweets often, having alternatives on hand can keep you from going off track. Think diet soda, low calorie/protein ice creams, dark chocolate. Find what satisfies the craving for you and choose that instead!
\Spend your time on something else
Once you sense a craving, choose an activity that you can really get into. Work on a home project, clean your room, call a friend. Look for something that will activate both your body and your mind, and be cautious of activities that can actually be triggers for cravings, like watching TV.
Eat whole foods during the day
Make sure you’re eating the right foods during the day; quality sources of carbs, fats, protein and of course fruits and veg and lots of water. If something is lacking in your diet or you’re not feeling satiated, it may cause you to reach for more processed foods later in the day.
Make it yourself
Craving fast food french fries? Cut up some potatoes and throw them in the air fryer. A slice of cake from your favorite bakery? Break out the eggs and flour. Ice cream sundae? Get to churning. Some of this sounds ridiculous and that’s kind of the point. Making things at home can be a great solution, because you know what’s going in your treat and therefore can control it. But you may also find that it’s not worth the effort.
