Do you find yourself struggling to keep a diet going for more than a week? Do you give in to your cravings just a few days after making that almighty decision to go junk-food-free? Well, we’ve all been there. It’s a hard decision to make and even more difficult to stick to. After all, junk food is all around us on the streets, and is most often irresistible. Here are steps to follow so that you can slowly resist the urge of giving in to your cravings for junk food.
The excessive craving for chocolate stems from deficiency of magnesium in your diet
Identify your craving
According to diet specialists, a craving for a particular food may arise due to something lacking in your diet. For example, the chocolate craving is related to magnesium deficiency and the sugar craving is related to protein deficiency. You can eliminate these deficiencies to make sure you rid yourself of these cravings.
Stack your fridge with wholesome food rather than junk
Temptations are stronger when they are easily available. Keeping a pack of fried potato chips in your kitchen isn’t going to make things easy for you. Try this – go to the grocery store with a full stomach. This way you won’t bring home the usual junk that you bring that can tempt you to forget your diet.
Most often, you give in because you find a shortage of wholesome food at home. Well, you have no one to blame. Stack your fridge with good, healthy and wholesome food so that you don’t have an excuse to binge on junk food.
Avoid boredom
Keep yourself busy so that you don’t binge due to boredom
Most people eat when they are bored. Keeping yourself busy will help you stay away from unnecessary snacking.
Drink water
Drinking plenty of water is very important. Usually, people confuse thirst with hunger and binge on something unnecessary. Dehydration can also cause unhealthy cravings.
Now that you know what to stay away from and what not to, consider indulging once in a while, just to satiate your taste buds.
That constant struggle between fitness and fatness can get you really frustrated! The war of junk food cravings over health is one that almost everybody fights. If you do have certain fitness goals to achieve, it is important to abstain from, or reduce the intake of junk food, but at times the cravings seem too strong. Here’s how you can resist it.
A particular food may be your weakness. Figure out what it may be. For instance, I have a weakness for two-minute noodles. Figure out what is your junk food favourite and it will be easier to abstain from it.
It is important to figure out what triggers you to indulge into junk food. The triggers may range from depression, boredom to medical conditions. Try to list down what exactly is your trigger, and if needed consult a doctor. You can also stay away from these triggers by keeping yourself busy.
Find replacements
Find healthy replacements
If you frequently have a craving for a particular food, consider replacing that food with a healthier alternative that is quite similar. For example, if you love sweets, try indulging in mango, which is a healthier alternative and may be equally tasty.
Another way to stay away from junk food is by eating healthy regularly. By doing this, you don’t leave space for unnecessary binging, which involves junk food, usually. Plan smaller meals, probably 5-6 a day, instead of the usual 3 meals a day.
Half size your portion if you indulge
If you do indulge, try making the portions of your junk food lesser. Only take a few bites of your dessert, or share your dessert or meal with a friend or partner. You can even try eating it slowly so that the brain is satiated.
Exercise will make you feel guilty to indulge in junk food
Exercising will make you feel guilty to indulge in junk food. This is because you are putting in effort to lose weight. Exercise can balance blood sugar levels and ease your digestion as well.
When it comes to eating right, one of the worst things to do is treat it like a chore. And because our mentality has it that healthy food is boring, we don’t even take a minute before calling for pizza. But guess what? Comfort foods, like everybody’s favourite pizza, burger, or fries, can be made healthy too!
Of course, you’ll have to do away with all the bucket loads of oil and fattening ingredients that are not doing any good for your waistline. Today I’m going to share a few recipes for healthy homemade everyone’s favourite junk food, which will not give you a reason to worry about your weight!
Hot’n’crispy French fries:
Who loves hot crispy fries? I do! And because I can never satiate my cravings for a huge bag full of French fries I decided to make them healthier. Here’s how…
Baked french fries are a tasty yet healthy option to calm your junk food craving
You will need:
4 large potatoes or sweet potatoes if you want extra, extra healthy
One tablespoon olive oil
Salt as per taste
Water
Method: Wash and cut the potatoes into thin long slices (you may keep a little bit of the skin on for taste and health benefits). In a large pan, boil some water and dunk the potatoes in with some salt. Once they’re done, drain them on a piece of clean cloth and give it a shake to make the edges a little rough. Drizzle a baking tray with olive oil and spread the potatoes out on the tray. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Yummy, crispy and healthy French fries are ready to serve. Don’t forget the salsa dip!
Hamburgers top everybody’s favourite foods list. When it comes to burgers, bigger is always better. But the best burger and the current favourite of mine is my mom’s recipe of a good healthy homemade one. It’s a must try.
When it comes to burgers, it’s always the bigger the better
Method: This one is no less than a food extravaganza. Get your chicken ham slices/veg patties and the burger buns grilled. Wash and slice the tomatoes and onions. Wash the lettuce and cabbage leaves thoroughly and pat them dry with a soft kitchen towel or simply spread them on a plate and put them in the freezer for 5-10 minutes. Now, once you’ve got all your ingredients handy, start piling them up in 2-4 layers however you like it. For a fun food session, let your family members do the stacking themselves! Vegetarians can make the same by using veg patties instead of the chicken.
Crunchy crust pizza: Pizzas may be a takeout speciality but once you try this pizza-made-healthy option you’ll definitely know why it’s better. Most times, the chewy pizza crust adds to the inches on our belly; so in this homemade variety I used the ever so healthy whole grain chapattis with a twist!
Whole wheat pizza can also be yummy! Try it to believe it.
Method: Combine the whole wheat flour and the all purpose flour with yeast, salt and hot water in a food processor, to make a light and fluffy dough. Knead well so that the dough is soft. Lightly flour a flat surface covered with plastic wrap; let the dough rest for 30 minutes maximum. Meanwhile, chop the olives, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and the herbs. Roll out the dough in circles or rectangles and use a fork or toothpick to prick it. Spread a thick layer of salsa spread on each rolled out crust. Top the pizza crust with the chopped veggies, herbs, and cottage cheese/chicken (or whatever you are using as a main ingredient) and season it with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the feta and mozzarella cheese on top and bake in a pre-heated oven at 450 degrees C for 10-12 minutes. Serve immediately.
