How to deal with cravings & maintain your diet

Craving for a treat you love while you are trying to resist it, is one of the most difficult things to do. A craving is an urge, almost a longing, to eat a particular food that you have not had for a while or that you are trying to avoid. Here are some guidelines to help you deal with your cravings and keep your diet.

Last month, when my family went on a trip back to my hometown, I found myself craving for the snacks I have not had the chance to eat for a long time. They were not exactly the healthiest snacks, but I used to have them as a child and I remembered how wonderful they tasted and how I loved eating them, that they were too tempting for me to resist.

This is not an uncommon situation. A lot of the time, especially when trying to stick to a diet, we are plagued by this feeling. Especially when you are put on a low carbohydrate diet and need to stay off pasta and pizza, you will find yourself wanting to have that slice of pizza or a pasta meal. This is because we crave what we cannot have.

The problem with having a craving is that it gives you a feeling of deprivation. This puts people down and makes them feel sorry for themselves. They start having what we call the “poor me” episode.

How do you deal with this situation and still maintain your diet?

The answer is actually quite simple, and it is one that I have implemented in my weight loss programs – have a “naughty day”. One day a week, give yourself a “naughty day”. On this day, you are allowed to eat the foods you are meant to stay away from, for example – pizzas, pasta, ice cream, etc. Giving in to the cravings one day a week helps eliminate the “I’m so deprived” feeling whilst still keeping you on track with your diet.

One thing to note, though, is that it is crucial to not overdo the “naughty day”. Give in to your cravings, have a couple of slices of pizza for lunch, a pasta dish for dinner and perhaps an ice cream for dessert. However do not have a whole family size pizza all to yourself. Maintaining a good sized serving for each of your meals will quench the craving, and still keep you on track. Going overboard on your “naughty day” will push you over to the edge and ruin your progress. Remember that balance and moderation are the keys to a successful weight loss program.

Try this, and see for yourself. However, for a more personalized weight loss program, come in for a consultation, and I will design a program that will work best for you. Your program will take into consideration your body’s constitutional strengths and weaknesses based on an iris analysis I will do prior to preparing your program.

Note that if you are taking medication, it is best to come in for a consultation and a supervised weight loss program.

Call and make an appointment now. For more information on the benefits of an iris analysis and other treatment programs, check out www.TheModernIridologist.com.