Kill the Craving

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All of us at some point of time crave for those creamy treats, crispy chips and starch laden pastas. Sometimes, even due to sheer boredom, we feel like indulging in them. Here are some tips to curb those hunger pangs.

CHOCOLATE

Why we crave it: The cocoa butter in chocolate melts just below body temperature, giving it a wonderfully sensuous feel in the mouth. And it symbolizes love and gratitude, making it a top fantasy food on a psychological level, too.

Beating it: Some women find that by increasing their intake of the mineral magnesium — by eating nuts, whole grains like whole meal bread and porridge, and spinach — their hormonally driven chocolate cravings lessen. You could also try eating chocolate only when you’re already full. Researchers at University College London found that when test subjects were told to eat chocolate when not hungry, their cravings for it became weaker. Eating it on an empty stomach made their cravings stronger.

SWEETS

Why we crave them: When you’re craving sweet foods it’s likely to be because of the instant lift that sugar gives to your energy level. These cravings can be self-perpetuating because; a rapid rise in blood glucose is followed by a rapid fall, stimulating a further craving for sweets.

Beating it: Never skip meals, and largely base your diet around lower glycaemic carbohydrates like grainy bread, porridge and whole wheat pasta, which are digested slowly and help smooth out blood sugar fluctuations. A protein snack (a handful of prawns or half a can of tuna) may also loosen the grip of a sugar craving when you’re in imminent danger of overdosing on sweets.

CHIPS AND SAVORY SNACKS

Why we crave them: Craving savoury flavors could mean you’re hooked on the ‘umami’ taste — dubbed the fifth taste after salty, sweet, bitter and sour.

Beating it: Go for naturally lower fat versions, which have far fewer calories. For example, you can make your own home-made chips from chunkily cut potatoes lightly brushed with oil, or bake slices of bread and serve instead of crisps, with a dip.

BREAD AND PASTA

Why we crave it: For most of us these are favorite comforting foods that fill us up and remind us of childhood days. The fact that carbohydrate foods stimulate the release of serotonin—a natural soother could be another reason for their appeal. In some people, a really insistent craving for bread and pasta can indicate wheat intolerance.

Beating it: Control your portions and you’ll be okay. Starchy carbs are actually healthy. It’s just overdoing it and adding a creamy sauce that’s the problem. Try swapping to wheat-free versions.

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