Food Cravings

Food cravings are an intense desire for a particular type of food.

• Food cravings tend to be stronger for women than for men, especially during times of stress.

• Research shows that for some individuals, tension and stress lead to cravings for carbs or for food that is sugary, salty or crunchy.

• Sometimes the desire for a particular food can become quite overwhelming.

Don't despair!

Consider An All Natural Supplement to End Food Cravings

Research has also shown that there are nutritional supplements that can help curb food cravings. Some nutrients balance blood sugar and promote a healthy metabolism while other nutrients are specially formulated to control cravings for sugar and carbs. 

Stop Your Craving for Sugar

According to the experts, there are ways to control your need for sugar...

1. Take the amino acid L-glutamine.

Eliminate your need for sugar with the amino acid L-glutamine which can lower your sugar cravings in just five minutes. This is because L-glutamine is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and provides instant fuel to the brain similar to the way sugar does. L-glutamine is sold in a powder or capsule form, is odorless and tasteless and can be absorbed in water.

2. Eat baked apples with cinnamon.

Cinnamon helps stabilize blood sugar levels and prevents future spikes which can help lower your cravings for sugar. Also, the soluble fiber in apples is digested slowly which helps stabilize blood sugar over time. 


3. Distract yourself with a quick walk.

Research suggests that a burst in physical activity can help you get over your sweet tooth. This is because exercise can release the feel good endorphins that help you forget your craving. Also, when you shift your focus to something else, you tend to lose interest in what you were originally thinking about. More than likely, you will find that your sugar craving will be gone when you return from your walk.

4. Brush your teeth, floss and gargle.

If you are craving a bag of Mint Milanos and can't seem to get over it, try brushing your teeth with a minty toothpaste, floss with Scope Flossers and gargle with either Scope or Listerine. Remember how clean your teeth feel after leaving the dentist? It's the same sensation. Even better, put on Crest White Strips and think about how white your smile will be!

5. Fight sugar cravings by eating a banana.

If you frequently get cravings for cookies, donuts, candy or other sweets, especially in the afternoon, then fight back with a banana. Scientists have discovered that many individuals experience brain fatigue in the afternoon which is caused by a drop in glucose levels, the brain's primary source of fuel. The natural sugar found in bananas provide the body with a quick pick-me-up and the potassium also helps fight fatigue. 

Stop Your Craving for Carbs

The craving for carbs is similar to cravings for sugar because it illicits the same response. When you eat high calorie carbohydrates like a plate of pasta, it leads to spikes in blood sugar followed by the inevitable crash which leads to more cravings for carbs. 

Eating carbs like pasta is a difficult habit to break.

Most of us were raised on pasta since it is very easy and inexpensive to make and can serve a large family of hungry children. Unfortunately, pasta is high in calories and contains few nutrients. Consider the following alternatives to pasta to help stop your cravings for carbs.

1. Low Glycemic Pasta - DreamfieldsTM Pasta is a great tasting pasta with only 5 net carbs and twice the fiber of regular pasta. Dreamfields is made from the finest durum wheat semolina and has a 65 percent lower glycemic index than regular pasta. Dreamfields contains a special fiber called Inulin, that has been  scientifically shown to promote digestive health. 

2. Brown Rice Pasta - This is a healthy alternative to regular pasta along with whole wheat pasta and buckwheat pasta but these types of pasta are still high in calories. The benefit to eating brown rice pasta or whole grain pasta is because it contains more fiber and does not lead to the same blood sugar spike like white pasta does.

3. Shirataki - Shirataki noodles contain few carbs and few calories but will leave you feeling full and satisfied all day long. They are rich with dietary fiber. They are made from tofu, yam flour and calcium hydroxide which means eating them will not create more cravings for carbs. Shirataki noodles absorb the flavors of the foods you cook them with so they can be easily substituted with traditional Italian sauces or used in a stir fry. 

Stop Your Craving for Salt

Research has shown that salt cravings may be related to dehydration or to certain mineral deficiencies such as zinc. If you find it impossible to pass up on a bag of Cape Cod Potato Chips or Pringles for their delicious salty taste, you can beat the craving with zinc. This mineral is found in foods such as shrimp, crab and beef or it can be taken as a supplement.

More tips to stop your cravings for salty foods...

1. Drink mineral water.

Mineral water is rich in important minerals and nutrients that can satisfy your cravings for salt without the added calories. So the next time you are staring down a bag of salty pretzels or chips, have a glass of Perrier or San Pellegrino to stop the urge.

2. Use a salt substitute.

A sodium free alternative to salt known as potassium chloride tastes very similar to salt and can be used as a substitute. Because it may react with some medications or if you have diabetes, be sure to consult with your physician first before making the switch.

Stop Your Craving for Crunch

When you feel tense or stressed out, food cravings tend to be for crunchy food. Experts suggest that crunchy food provides a comforting level of satisfaction. You may have noticed how some individuals chew ice. Although this is a calorie free way to reduce stress, it may damage the enamel on your teeth over time. 

Consider these alternatives to appease your food cravings for crunch...

1. Eat pine nuts.

Pine nuts are really small seeds the offer a satisfying crunch with signficantly fewer fat and calories than most other crunchy foods. Pine nuts also contain pinolenic acid, which is an polyunsaturated fat that supports the release of two appetite suppressing hormones.

2. Chew gum.


When you chew sugar free gum it releases tension and lowers cravings for crunchy food according to one research study. Chewing sugar free gum also helps lower total calories consumed. According to the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, individuals who chewed sugar free gum ate 40 fewer calories during an afternoon snack compared with those who did not chew gum beforehand.

Stop Your Craving for Fatty Foods

Cravings for a pepperoni cheese pizza and other fatty foods are often related to stress. If you are under too much stress, you may find happiness in a large pizza pie because fatty foods can momentarily block the flow of stress hormones.

• If you regularly have cravings for fatty foods, consider a vitamin B-complex supplement which helps lower stress and anxiety. 

• This is because B vitamins help the brain produce more feel good neurotransmitters that promote feelings of calm and happiness. 

• Vitamin B has also been shown to help improve memory and focus!