Follow these pointers from a medical weight loss center expert to curb your food cravings and lose weight

Why do we crave certain foods? It’s a commonly asked question and one that doesn’t have a straightforward answer. Cravings are usually stimulated by our emotions, but then fueled by physiological ones as we imagine what it would be like to eat the food we want to have.

“I had a bad day at work today. I deserve this huge bar of chocolate.” Seems familiar? Emotional eating is one of the causes of food cravings, but you can subdue them.

Most of us snack to beat hunger between meals or to satisfy a craving. Getting a strong appetite for certain foods isn’t something to feel guilty about; it’s something most of us have. Cravings may indicate that you are suffering from a health issue or need more of certain nutrients. Additionally, food cravings can negatively affect your diet and weight loss efforts.  

Next time you find yourself craving for your favorite food, know that you’ve got options! We asked help from a nutritionist at a medical weight loss center in Shelby Township to share some ways to overcome food cravings.

Curb your food cravings

• Eat more protein – Consuming foods that keep you feeling full is a simple way to suppress your cravings and keep your blood sugar levels stable. Fat, carbs, and protein are important for keeping you feeling full, but protein is the most filling. It has been shown that high-protein diets reduce the activation of the brain areas associated with food rewards and cravings, reduce nighttime snacking on sugary, high-calorie foods, and decrease food cravings. Fill yourself up with protein-rich foods and fiber-rich carbs.
• Avoid restrictive diets – Don’t let yourself get too hungry. This will cause your brain to think it’s still hungry and cause strong food cravings. There’s a good chance you haven’t fueled your body for a long time when you’re hungry. This can lead to lower levels of blood sugar in the body. When you are hungry, you may seek out sugary foods in order to get your blood sugar and energy up quickly. When your blood sugar levels are stable, you’re less likely to have food cravings. Basically, avoid restrictive diets that will cause hunger. Maintaining a steady level of blood sugar doesn’t require eating every couple hours. Rather, simply pay attention to your hunger and fullness cues and feed your body when it needs fuel.
• Drink water – Before you start nibbling on whatever food you’re craving for, take a few minutes to drink a glass of water or something warm. Drinking warm beverages takes time; it’s also filling and helps manage digestion. In doing so, you take time and space to reflect if you’re really hungry or not. This will prevent you from going off-course from your diet plan. Drinking liquids in general can decrease cravings, especially for sugary foods. Your body was actually just thirsty and not really hungry.
• Manage stress – Usually, when we’re stressed, you crave for food that signifies comfort, such as chocolates. Did you know that stress may induce food cravings? It also influences eating behaviors. When you’re under stress, you tend to eat more food and more calories. When you’re stressed out, your cortisol levels increase, which can make you gain weight especially in the belly area. Distract yourself from food cravings by limiting your exposure to stressors. This will help manage your stress. You can also practice deep breathing or meditation. Exercise is also another proven way to relieve stress. By distracting yourself, you will understand if your body is really hungry or not.
• Eat a small portion – Still can’t kick that craving? Try eating a small portion of the food. If you’re craving for greasy pizza or high-calorie fast food burgers, then go and eat it! Your favorite foods can still be a party of your diet, even if they are not the healthiest. Do a compromise: eat your fast food, but just eat a small portion. This way, you allow yourself to enjoy your favorite food, and still get to eat what your mind wants. Studies have shown that being more flexible and less rigid in your dietary choices may boost weight loss.

Supplement your diet with medical weight loss

Weight loss is not just about eating less food and exercising more. Other factors are involved in your weight loss journey.

Learn More Here: Bad Eating Habits to Break this New Year at Shelby Township

Medical weight loss will help you lose weight and keep it off for a long time, so you can enjoy a happier and healthier life.

Medical weight loss is the safest and fastest way to lose weight! Shelby Township’s Michigan Integrative Health Medical Weight Loss Center does not offer cookie-cutter solutions for weight loss. In our medical weight loss program, you will be given the knowledge and tools necessary to sustain your weight loss results for a long time.

Our Weight Loss Center in Shelby Township offers a holistic and medically supervised weight loss and weight management program.

Our team of doctors, medical technicians, nutritionists, and coaches will be there with you every step of the way to monitor your progress. We offer personalized weight loss and weight management programs to ensure that they will work for you and your body. 

Our goal is to help you be healthy on your own. Our Medical Weight Loss Center in Shelby Township offers different solutions to help you achieve your health goals. If you are tired of dieting and workouts that simply do not work, contact us today at (586) 800-2249 and schedule a consultation to help you lose weight and enjoy life to its fullest!