Without fail it happens to me every day around 3PM…the craving for something sweet…and usually hangs around until about 7PM. If you’ve spent any time trying to stick to eating along the lines I mentioned in a previous post, or any other diet for that matter, then no doubt you’ve experienced the same “phenomenon.”
Here’s the thing: you can’t dodge the temptation altogether. For me it’s gotten easier to deal with the past few months as my sweets intake has gotten less and less. When the feeling comes on I’ll usually eat a pear, or sometimes a Lara Bar to squash the urge to inhale a box of Munchkins. Keeping plenty of water on hand usually helps as well, and eating enough “real” food during the day helps curb the cravings.
I usually keep stash of Lara’s with me at all times. They’re not the perfect snack solution (wish they packed more protein) but they’re relatively inexpensive by bar standards, wheat free, have no preservatives, and travel well. I’m on the road a lot and they come in handy in a pinch. And eating one or two is usually enough to keep me from hard-charging the Taco Bell drive through.
Here’s another tip for putting the kibosh on the sweet tooth:
Try cooking at least one meal a day at home, rather than opting for the fast food option. Among the many benefits of cooking your own food, you can put into it what you want. The fast food option, while convenient, is usually laden with all the nutritional no-no’s. But that’s no secret.
By the way, I’ll happily eat a donut or cupcake from time to time. As long as I’m sticking within the confines of an 80/20 nutrition regimen (meaning 80% of the time I’m eating what I should,) and getting my workouts in, then I’m OK. Truthfully, I don’t ever see a time when I’ll go completely doughnut-free. Might work for some people, but I’m not a monk. It’s about a balance of practical life wellness.
So…80/20 on the food, workout like you should, add in some willpower, and you’re on your way to weight loss and optimum health! (Easier said than done, I know.)
