I would like to put blame on the holidays for triggering my unhealthy cravings. Personally, I noticed that if I resist them long enough, the cravings don’t come strong however, if I give in two consecutive cravings then it will be a lot stronger the next time so the best possible way for me to control them is not to give in at all—hence the blame on the holidays.

For us seniors, resisting cravings is not only about staying fit and looking good, it also has something to do with our health and let’s just say that our quality of life depends on how good we’re able to balance everyday meals. Although maintaining a healthy diet is quite hard especially if faced with temptations left and right, it helps to have techniques to combat unhealthy cravings :

•    Learn to know when you’re really hungry or just craving for something not good for you. There’s a difference between physical hunger and a triggered craving. Knowing the difference will help you avoid eating on a craving.
•    Avoid triggers. What’s good to know about cravings is that they usually have triggers and it is almost always, the smell. Yes, it’s impossible to shut our nose off at all times however knowing that it is indeed a trigger, it will be easier to remind yourself that it is also a craving.
•    Indulge it once in a while but never twice in a row! Indulging a craving can actually help you stay on track with your diet. Remember, treats are good for you. Consider it as a reward for a job well done.
•    Practice mindful eating. Mindful eating involves the mind whereas cravings are desires. These two are different.
•    Welcome distractions. Cravings can also be easily forgotten. If you learn how to distract yourself from eating what you crave at the moment, your cravings will surely pass thus you escape unscathed.
•    Fill up with liquids. Craving for something? Drink a glassful of water. Liquids can quench your cravings for a while, keeping it at bay for the moment.
•    Never skip a meal. Skipping meals only intensify your unhealthy cravings since the body is put in a lot of stress and you are making room for hunger to grow. If you worry that you won’t be able to control your meals when started then go for light snacks althroughout the day.
•    Identify the emotions that come with the craving. Are you feeling lonely? Or perhaps awfully mad? Identifying your emotions is like getting to the rootcause of the problem and by getting to the root cause of it, you are better equipped in avoiding it.
•    Support system. It is important that you have someone to support you in your battle with cravings as oftentimes it is the people around you which trigger an attack.