Best Fitness Blog

... By Karli Taylor

We’ve all been there. One minute you are sitting quietly at your desk, minding your own business, when a vision of chocolate starts dancing through your head. You suddenly get struck by a craving that’s so intense, that you can’t think of anything else. Why we crave certain foods at certain times has been debated for years, but scientists are coming close to an answer.

As much as I would love to tell you otherwise, cravings are all in your head. Studies shows that the strength of a craving depends on how vividly you can imagine them. IF you think about it, it makes sense. When you are clearly picturing a forbidden treat, it can take up the majority of your thoughts at any given time.

During that moment, concentrating on other tasks can become difficult. That’s why when you suddenly want a piece of chocolate, only a piece of chocolate will do, and everything else seems less important than the conga line of Hershey kisses that keeps running through your mind.

Luckily, you can train your brain to fight those cravings . When a craving hits, try distracting yourself with thoughts that aren’t food-related. If you can focus on something else for more than a full minute, you should be able to conquer the craving. If you can’t change your focus the next time a bag of chips or a peanut butter cup waltzes through your brain, try one of these craving busters:

1. Pop a piece of sugar-free mint gum into your mouth. The feeling of clean teeth will prevent you from wanting to snack, and the scent of mint has been proven to reduce appetite.
2. Take a quick walk around the neighborhood and soak in your surroundings. Elevating your heart rate is proven to eliminate the urge to snack. If walking isn’t enough, do a few sets of squats or push-ups!
3. Try accu-pressure. Some believe that accupressure can help alleviate stubborn cravings. Place two fingers below your ear where your jaw hinges. Open your mouth until you feel a bump, then press and hold.