Follow these 6 rules from Shape.com to make smarter choices when you indulge in candy, cookies, ice cream and fast food.
1. Control cravings
Complete deprivation is not the solution. A denied craving can quickly spiral out of control, leading to bingeing or overeating. If you’re craving fries or chips, for example, eat a small serving of fries, or buy the mini 150-calorie bag of chips and be done with it. Also to consider: a healthier alternative like chips made from blue corn.
2. Indulge sensibly
Splurging on occasion is acceptable — just don’t get carried away!
3. Avoid stocking treats in your cabinets or fridge
Buy something only when the craving hits and enjoy a small quantity. Then share or trash the rest.
4. Mix it up
Try eating something healthier thing along with the less-nutritious food, like a piece of fruit with your cheesecake. By eating the fruit first, you’ll dull your appetite and be less likely to wolf down a second slice of the cheesecake.
5. Count calories
Compare the amount of fat and calories found in healthy, filling snacks vs. less-healthful foods. For instance, a medium apple contains just 81 calories and no fat.
6. Focus on fat
Take extra care to read labels. After reviewing several types of packaged food, like cookies, snack cakes, and chips, researchers at the University of Minnesota found that less expensive items tend to have more trans fats than those that cost a little more. These processed fats, which have been shown to raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol level, may show up on ingredient lists as partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oil and shortening.
Your cravings can be a tell-a-tale sign of what nutrients you’re missing. Women’s Health decoded women’s most common cravings Here.
When You Crave Salty Food
Longing for salty chips is your body’s way of telling you that you may have a mineral deficiency.
Studies have shown that women who eat low-calcium diets want salty foods more than those who get enough of the bone builder, says Michael Tordoff, Ph. D.
When You Crave Chocolate
Chocolate releases serotonin-the feel good hormone, that can act as an antidepressant. Your chocolate craving is a sign your happy chemicals are low.
When You Crave Spicy Food
This could mean your body is having trouble cooling down and is craving a fiery taste to make you perspire.
Some research also suggests that people become addicted to the rush of spicy food—the spiked blood pressure, accelerated heart rate, and rapid breathing, says Tammy Lakatos Shames, R. D., a coauthor of The Secret to Skinny.
When You Crave Sweets
Lusting for sweets can mean that you’re looking to boost your mood (like with chocolate) or that you’re low on energy.
When You Crave Sweet + Salty
Your body needs glucose and sodium to function properly and not feel so tired.
Deadlines, finances and kids can add up to a stressful day. Whether, physical or psychological our bodies react to stress in the same way. Most of the time, that means we start to crave sweet, salty, and high-fat foods because they stimulate the brain to release pleasure chemicals that actually do reduce tension.
Instead of heading to the vending machine, here are some great and healthy ways to deal with stress.
From MSN.com
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