Too Good to Resist?

HOW TO TAKE CONTROL

1. The first step to overcoming a carbohydrate craving is to eat a balanced diet, rich in complex carbohydrates like brown rice, whole grains, kumara, oats and fruit.
2. Try to ensure most meals contain a decent amount of protein or low fat dairy foods. Protein helps keep you more satisfied in between meals and reduces cravings.
3. Don’t skip meals. You will be more likely to binge if you have missed breakfast or worked through your lunch break.
4. Many women have been on the low fat bandwagon for too long. We need good fats in our diet to help us regulate hormones and metabolism. Omega 3 in particular helps with weight loss and depression.
5. Chromium helps to stabilise blood sugar levels and improve the cells’ sensitivity to insulin. Chromium is used extensively as a weight loss supplement as it helps to manage sugar cravings. Take chromium in the morning with breakfast, then again in the afternoon when you normally experience cravings. If you have diabetes check with your physician first.
6. Artificial sweeteners aren’t all bad news. They are really useful tool when used as a replacement for sugar during the transition between a high sugar diet and a low sugar diet.
7. Don’t try to go on a crash diet or make too many changes at once. A diet that is too low in energy will activate your starvation hormones which will lead to over eating.
8. Exercise can be more effective than mood-boosting drugs such as Prozac. Getting a sweat up everyday helps will help you experience the same feel good effect that sugar produces.
9. Recognise your trigger foods and don’t keep them in the house.
10. Change your routine, if you always buy chocolate at work try leaving your wallet at home and packing a lunch instead.
11. You don’t have to go it alone, a Dietician or Counselor can offer much needed support to help overcome food additions. Finding someone you trust can make it much easier to develop a healthier relationship with food.