How to avoid eating processed junk items

Food cravings are uncontrollable intense desires for a specific kind of food and it is usually stronger than normal hunger. These foods vary from person to person but are usually high in sugar processed junk foods. Cravings are a problem in one weight loss journey so here are some ways how one can prevent and stop these cravings of sugar and unhealthy foods.

1. Water: It reduces appetite and cravings, helps to lose weight and most of the time people confuse thirst with cravings or hunger.

2. Protein: Prevents overeating as it keeps you full for a longer period of time and prevents cravings.

3. Keep a distance: Avoid craving and indulge in a walk, or shower or have chewing gum.

4. Meal planning: This eliminates all the unwanted foods from your diet and prevents cravings.

5. Avoid being hungry: Follow a good healthy eating schedule as being too hungry and skipping meals increase cravings.

6. Stress: It is related to food cravings, and has an influence on your eating pattern as stress increases cortisol levels which makes you gain weight. So avoid stress by eating and following a good healthy diet.

7. Sleep: Our appetite is affected by our hormones and sleep deprivation leads to poor appetite regulation and increased cravings. So good sleep is very important to prevent cravings.

8. Eating good proper meals: Lack of nutrients causes cravings so eating your meals at proper times nourishes your body and prevents extreme hunger. Whole foods, nuts, veggies, fruits and seeds should be included as they prevent cravings.

9. Avoid shopping hungry: Eating before you shop especially at a supermarket helps one to reduce the risk of impulsive buying and unwanted cravings.

10. Mindful eating: This builds a relationship between eating and our food as it develops awareness about emotions, hunger, cravings, physical sensations and eating habits. It helps us to find out if we are feeling hungry or craving something. It helps us to choose our response rather than acting impulsively.

In conclusion, cravings are very common and almost everyone experiences them on a regular basis. They play a major role in our food addiction, binge eating and weight gain. So being aware of our cravings helps us to eat healthily.