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Sometimes it hurts to be human. If we were super-humans we wouldn't have all these problems. But we are mere mortals wrapped up in our own humanity forced to deal with the hand we are dealt. Being smart about food and about ourselves will go a long way in conquering cravings that could go all the way back to childhood.

I remember my mother lining up five glasses in a row on the kitchen counter. My four siblings and I looked up anxiously awaiting our watered down soda. I looked forward to my soda every week and I still do today. Unfortunately, I started drinking three cans a day for many years.

At the other end of the spectrum, my husband's mother would carefully mark the line on the white soda bottle, signifying the last family out-pouring. While she was at work the kids would carefully replace the missing soda with tap water. I almost divulged the secret to my mother-in-law but why make things worse?

Being aware that a problem exists is half the battle. Like the alcoholic who finally comes to grips through intervention, seeking out help is the right step in the right direction. Do any of the following questions sound familiar?

1. Do you eat or drink certain things every day or several times a day?

2. Are you overweight?

3. Do you look forward to your time with your favorite cravings?

4. Do you sometimes fast before to make your cravings even more enjoyable on an empty stomach?

5. Do you become nervous, crabby or testy if your food cravings aren't satisfied in a timely manner?

If you answered yes to most of the questions, not to worry. There is hope. Help is on the way. Start looking at your problem from a different perspective, a healthy perspective. Speaking of health, your cravings may signify a medical problem. It wouldn't hurt to get a check-up, including a fasting blood sugar. Ask your family doctor.

Here are five ways to help conquer your cravings:

1. Don't cut off - cut back. Moderation is the name of the game. You can have the best of both worlds, just less. I still drink a soda a day usually, but no more. I fill in the day with water, crushed ice and a splash of lemon to make it interesting. I also drink iced- tea full of anti-oxidants or a variety of different juices like cranberry juice which is good for the bladder. Sometimes I take a gallon of tea or water to work to keep hydrated during the week instead of hitting the soda machine.

2. Go crazy with salads. Salads are not habit- forming. Make them any way you like but remember, no chocolate in the salad.

3. Instead of munching away while watching TV, read, exercise, crochet or do housework. It's OK to snack and watch TV at the same time, just not all the time. Purpose to snack only at certain times, like during your favorite program. Try celery stalks for a change with a healthy dip.

4. Reward yourself sparingly with the things you can't live without. I'm a steak-a-holic. My husband grills my favorite ribeye steak twice a month close to payday, come rain or shine. It's what I look forward to, my mouth waters just thinking about it.

5. Chocolate on the weekends only or twice a week. One candy bar on Saturday and one Peppermint Patty on Sunday. I slowly chew every little chocolate bite while drinking my daily ration of soda. It's almost heaven on earth. Remember, no more chocolate sundaes from the ice-cream place down the street. Well, maybe once a month on the 15th is OK. I'm still human.

Learn more about this author, Maureen Totterer.
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