Don't Let Your Cravings Sabotage Your Health
By Donna Stark
Well, my day started with good intentions. I fueled my body with great nutrition at breakfast and packed a healthy lunch. I brought a bottle of water to keep on the side of my desk and skipped the drive-thru coffee line on my way to work. I scheduled time on my calendar to work out in the evening and didn’t even plan a dessert for after dinner. It was, for the most part, a successful start to my day … and then reality hit.
My co-worker stopped by and surprised me with my favorite vanilla latte, extra cream on top. A client invited me to lunch and we ended up at the town’s favorite burger joint. And when I got home? Well, guess who opened the freezer and fell into the tempting arms of the new gallon of ice cream sitting there on the front shelf?
When Cravings Mess with Your Good Intentions
We have all had those kinds of days, haven’t we? We wake up with great intentions to stay on a healthy path and then our food cravings hit us from behind, totally blindsiding us. We usually end up telling ourselves that tomorrow will be different then, don’t we? But let’s face it, temptations are everywhere and when tomorrow comes, it’s easy for that cycle to continue. However, there is hope to break that cycle and here’s how you can fight back.
Negative Associations
Unhealthy food has a place in our hearts for a reason, and usually, it’s because we associate positive feelings with them. So instead, push those good feelings away and try to remember the negative side to the consumption of junk food.
- Provides little nutritional value
- Causes weight gain
- Drains your energy
- Steals your confidence
- Attacks your healthy body
- Sidetracks your goals
Every time that you feel tempted to eat an unhealthy food, remember your list of negatives. Really remember them, then turn to your list of positive associations instead.
Positive Associations
Start associating more positive feelings with wholesome food rather than with unhealthy food. Here’s a list to help get you started.
- Provides optimal nutritional value
- Promotes weight loss
- Boosts your energy
- Builds your confidence
- Encourages optimal health and wellness
- Helps you achieve your fitness goals
Turning Good Intentions Into Good Habits
Immersing yourself into the world of healthy wholesome foods can be a hard transition, but is definitely achievable. Focus on the pros and cons of what you are eating, maintain a balance between the good and bad, and remain very intentional with your food choices. It’s OK to have that latte in the morning, but skip the extra cream on top. Go to the burger joint, but order wisely. And have a spoonful, not a bowlful, of ice cream before bed. By doing so, you will soon find that healthy, wholesome foods are your first choice and that craving the wrong foods will be a thing of your past.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Eagan, Minn.