If you are always giving in to chocolate cravings, this article will show you how to get rid of chocolate addiction for good.
What do you do when chocolate bars start calling your name incessantly, and you think you can’t make it to the next day without indulging your sweet tooth?
Many of us have experienced intense cravings for chocolate and other junk foods, and the experience can be quite unsettling for some people.
Come along as we spotlight simple, evidence-backed techniques to help curb your unhealthy chocolate habits and more.
How to Get Rid of Chocolate Addiction for Good
1. Take a walk
According to a recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE, walking for 15 minutes on the treadmill can stop you from reaching for a sugary snack such as chocolate.
Before this study, many other studies have suggested that engaging in exercises of moderate-intensity can help control food intake.
Therefore, if you can’t get the thought of chocolates out of your head, hit the treadmill for some minutes or take a walk around the neighborhood or office. Chances are your cravings will disappear after exercise.
2. Take a Break
If boredom triggers cravings, you can take a break from the boring activity and do something engaging.
Just do something that will keep your mind off the craving. It could be washing the dishes, going over to your coworker’s desk to talk, or calling a loved one.
3. Drink plenty of water
Dehydration is one of the leading triggers of sugar and salt cravings because it leads to the loss of nutrients and minerals in the body.
Additionally, sometimes we are only thirsty but erroneously think that we are hungry.
Rather than load up on the chocolate or sugary treat, it’s advisable to first drink a large glass of water before eating any food.
4. Chew sugar-free gum
According to a study conducted at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Louisiana State University, chewing sugar-free gum during the three hours after lunch can help reduce feelings of hunger and snack cravings.
Subjects who participated in the study also reported feeling more energetic, which is an excellent thing for fighting off cravings. If you feel revitalized in the afternoon, the urge to grab a chocolate bar will not be as strong as when you are lethargic.
5. Tap your forehead
According to a study conducted by researchers at the Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Hospital in New York City, tapping your head for 30 seconds can reduce the intensity of cravings and decrease the vision of that craving in your brain.
The study was carried out as part of the Weight Loss Program of the Mount Sinai St. Luke Hospital and was presented at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Obesity Society.
6. Have some flavored drinks
According to nutritionist Nicole Silber, R.D., C.S.P., of Middleberg Nutrition in New York City, you can satisfy an urge the healthy way by sipping a glass of water enriched with flavors such as basil, cucumber, mint, or pomegranate.
Note that beverages with artificial sweeteners won’t satisfy your cravings, in fact, they may worsen them. Here are healthy drinks to help keep your cravings at bay.
7. Have some ginger tea
Drinking ginger tea or ginger infused water every day can help control your chocolate cravings and even get rid of chocolate addiction.
Ginger is a powerful palate cleanser that can reduce an intense urge for sweet things and help fight off cravings for sugar. Plus, it’s effortless to make.
8. Sleep more
Research suggests that there are links between a lower resistance to unhealthy foods and inadequate nighttime sleep.
If you are not having enough sleep, you may be adding to the intensity of your cravings, which is why it’s important to give your body the rest it deserves to revamp its energy reserve. You won’t believe the wonder a 15-minute nap can do to help you reduce fatigue.
9. Sniff it out
According to an Australian study, having a small bottle of jasmine scent in your purse can help fight your uncontrollable appetite.
For the study, 67 female college students were told to view pictures of chocolate foods to trigger chocolate cravings. Next, the women were asked to sniff water, green apple or jasmine. The researchers found that Jasmine was the only substance that significantly decreased the students’ chocolate cravings.
10. Distract yourself with video games
In a study published in the journal Obesity, researchers discovered that playing a video game can help curb cravings.
The researchers studied two groups experiencing some form of craving. One group was asked to watch as a computer program loaded while the other group was told to play a video game.
After the experiment, the video game group had less cravings compared to the computer program group, leading the researchers to theorize that the video game distorted the visual image of the food from their view.
11. Have some chocolate with some healthy snack
Studies reveal that eating a small amount of what you crave along with a large amount of more nutritious food can help downgrade the effect of your cravings.
However, you have to eat mindfully to make this work. Eat slowly, drink some water, avoid distractions, and make sure to keep the portion small.
12. Relax
Stress is a known contributor to cravings, which is why you can cut down your cravings by taking some time off to relax.
You can practice yoga, meditate, stretch, or just rest for a while to ease the built-up tension and reduce the urge for that delicious bar of chocolate.
13. Think about your future
According to the findings of a study conducted at the University of Delaware, you can fight off your cravings by thinking about the future.
Taking our minds to the future, we would like to see ourselves in can help build the courage to make healthier and better choices.
14. Eat more fiber and protein
Foods rich in fiber and protein are highly satisfying and energizing, and they take longer to digest, thus supplying the body energy for a longer time.
You can keep nuts such as almond and pistachios with you as they are rich in fiber and protein and can satisfy cravings for chocolate.
Final word
It’s important to get rid of your chocolate addiction. It’s virtually impossible to lose weight or maintain optimal health if you eat sugary foods all the time.
Chances are one of the strategies above will kick your chocolate cravings to the curb for good. So pick at least 3 strategies and start implementing them right away.
Do you know other strategies that help get rid of chocolate addiction for good? Leave a comment below and let me know.
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