by Tiffany Liles

Created on: November 20, 2008   Last Updated: December 02, 2008

Cravings are our mind's way of telling us our body is in need of something. It could be anything from sodium to vitamin c. When we diet we are depriving our body of its usual intake and so it is basically whining to you through cravings. The trick to conquering the cravings is to have a plan in place for when they hit.

1. Prepare yourself ahead of time for when the cravings hit. Know that they are coming and so that you won't be caught in a weak moment and buy out a candy shop, try storing a small pack of candy or a 100 calorie pack of chips. When you begin to feel a need for a snack indulge in the small one you carry. Read the serving size on the label very carefully. If it says that a serving is only 10 cookies then that's all you need to eat.

2. Don't wait until the craving is out of control. If you wait until your craving is all you think about you will lose the calorie war. A need for chocolate doesn't just overtake you, it builds. If you fight it with smaller, less caloric enriched doses then you are more likely to win then if you try to resist that triple fudge brownie with ice cream at dessert while your chocolate monster is unleashed.

3. Don't let food be your rewards. If you need to celebrate something don't do it with decadent foods. If you develop the pattern of eating those foods when you are feeling great and deserve a reward, you're brain can develop the association of sweet or rich foods and happiness. Thus when you are feeling down you will crave the sweeter foods because you were happy when you ate them before. Try a different kind of reward, shoes for example.

4. Invest in sugar free or low sugar alternatives. If you feel that fighting the craving is useless, look for low in sugar or sugar free alternatives. There are many companies that provide such. My mother is a diabetic and craves sugar all the time. We have to buy her sugar free cookies. These products have a great sweet taste and far less calories.

5. Have a back up plan. If you find that you are caught without a small serving and can sense the craving coming on, have an alternate plan. Drink a glass of water or juice. This will usually fill you up and blunts the edge of the craving.

The way to success in defeating the monster of cravings is entirely up to you. Each individual is different so you have to set a plan in place that fits your needs. In the end you will have to find what works for you, formulate a strategy and apply the design.

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