You might have noticed that babies and animals generally only eat when they are hungry and only until they are no longer hungry.  Why, then, do adults tend to overindulge at any given moment?  The likely cause is that we have learned certain behaviors that make us think we recognize the difference between true hunger and a simple craving.  We have learned patterns of eating that lead us to overindulge, eating well past the point of satiety with foods that do nothing to improve our energy or fuel our bodies.

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If you’re ready to tackle your cravings for unhealthy food, let FitClub guide you through the process.

• What is your body telling you? Your body knows what it needs and it will tell you what fuel meets those needs if you listen.  Your body is smart and will tell you how much food you actually need if you’ll listen. Can’t tell the difference?  Try picturing a healthy snack, an apple or carrots, for example.  If that sounds good to you in that moment, you’re probably hungry and should feed your body.  It’s your mind, not your body that tells you that you want chocolate cake instead. That’s a craving and you can skip the snack.


• Wait it out. A craving will pass if you give it enough time.  Cravings can often be relieved by just drinking a glass of water.  Thirst is often mistaken as hunger and you might be surprised at how easily the craving slips away if you fill up on water and wait it out.  If the need to eat doesn’t pass after several moments, it’s likely true hunger.  When you’re hungry and not just experiencing a craving, the feeling will grow stronger.  When you’re truly hungry and not just eating out of habit or trying to satisfy a craving, you’ll hear your stomach rumble or feel your blood sugar dip. Fill yourself up with something healthy!


• Think ahead. An unhealthy indulgence might seem like a need in the present moment, but when you take a second to picture how you might feel after you’ve eaten, you’ll understand the difference between a craving and what your body really needs.  Will you feel sluggish, guilty, or bloated after you’ve eaten?  You know a good, healthy meal doesn’t make you feel that way.  Picturing how you will feel a few moments after you’ve eaten can help you opt for better choices.


• Fill up with vegetables. If you’re hungry between meals, fresh vegetables will fill you up without loading you down.  Adding nutrients between meals can also help to eliminate any nutrient deficiency you might experience during the day.

Do you recognize the difference between hunger and a craving?  What works for you?