Are your cravings running the show

When you think about food cravings, typically the first thing that comes to mind would be some type of junk food. Something that is high in calories, low in nutrients, processed and quite unhealthy. What is your go-to?

So why do we experience cravings in the first place? There are a variety of factors that can contribute to cravings, including:

• Hormonal changes: Hormonal shifts, such as those that occur during pregnancy or the menstrual cycle, can trigger cravings.

• Nutrient deficiencies: If your body is lacking certain nutrients, it may crave foods that are rich in those nutrients.

• Emotional triggers: Stress, boredom, or other emotions can trigger cravings for comfort foods.

• Environmental cues: Seeing or smelling a certain food can trigger a craving, even if you weren't thinking about it before.

While it's normal to experience cravings from time to time, it's important to manage them in a healthy way. Here are some tips for dealing with cravings:

• Identify triggers: Keep a food diary to help identify what triggers your cravings. Is it a certain time of day, a particular emotion, or a specific food cue?

• Find healthy alternatives: If you're craving something sweet, try eating a piece of fruit instead of a candy bar. If you're craving something salty, try a handful of nuts instead of a bag of chips.

• Practice mindful eating: Pay attention to your hunger and fullness cues, and try to eat slowly and mindfully.

• Don't deprive yourself: If you try to completely eliminate a certain food from your diet, you may end up craving it even more. Instead, allow yourself to have a small portion of the food you're craving, and savor it mindfully.

Cravings refer to an intense desire or urge to consume a particular type of food or drink

This desire can be so strong that it may be difficult to resist, even if you are not actually hungry. Cravings are often associated with certain emotions or situations, such as stress or boredom, and can be triggered by various factors, including hormonal changes, nutrient deficiencies, or environmental cues. Managing cravings often involves identifying triggers, developing healthy coping strategies, and making conscious choices about food and drink consumption.

Remember, it's okay to indulge in cravings every now and then. Just be mindful of how often you're indulging, and try to make healthy choices when you can.

My strongest cravings came in my forties and they were around alcohol. When my sister passed away suddenly I fell into a season of sadness and despair. I didn’t know how to handle it and I had no tools to help me thru the process. So, I lost myself in the numbing substance that I knew.

In the 20 years since I have been sober, I have learned so many tools and coping skills. If you are feeling angry or frustrated with yourself because you continually give in to the cravings you would rather not use, you will want to check out this course Calm Your Cravings I designed just for you.

These are the same tools I use when I get triggered and find myself slipping into past behaviors (sugar is still my nemesis).