Snacks are a minefield of all sorts of temptations. It’s not easy to settle for an apple when your body is demanding spoonfuls of Nutella or nachos. We all find it hard to fight food cravings, but is this fight necessary? From a health buff’s perspective, this is one of the best health decisions you can make.
What causes food cravings?
There are three principal reasons you might be struggling with cravings. First, there is the aspect of emotional cravings. Secondly, some cravings stem from hunger when you have not fueled yourself adequately. Lastly, you might experience a need for a specific food just because you want to eat that particular food. The best way to deal with food cravings is to satisfy them. So let’s delve into the gist of the matter; satisfying cravings without spending much.
Foods that will crush your cravings
Peanut butter
What you have for breakfast is vital when it comes to keeping your appetite under control. Adding some peanut butter to your breakfast has been proven to keep food cravings under control. Nutritional studies on the effects of peanut butter confirm that adding peanuts or peanut butter controls food cravings for close to 12 hours. While peanut butter packs a ton of healthy nutrients like zinc, magnesium, and vitamin E, cap your daily intake levels to a two-tablespoon serving.
Dark chocolate
Chocolates are among the foods that most people eat when they crave for sweets. If you find yourself craving for sweets or chocolate, you should look for a healthier option. Ideally, dark chocolate is a healthier alternative to white chocolate. It also offers a bunch of other health benefits like improved metabolism, good for the heart, and it is full of antioxidants and other essential elements like iron.
Nuts
If nuts are your thing, they make excellent snacks when dealing with uncontrolled food cravings. They are good for the cardiovascular system as they nourish the linings of the heart and the arteries. Nuts are full nutrients that help in regulating blood sugar levels. They also make you eat less considering that one feels a lot fuller after eating nuts.
Fruits
Fruits are known to be healthier than other packaged snacks. As much as you might prefer specific fruits over others, grapes and berries are an excellent replacement for excessive snacking. These fruits will leave you fuller for longer and at the same time lessen the magnitude of food cravings.
Popcorns
So it turns out that popcorns relatively healthy snacks. Popcorns are rich in antioxidants and fiber – especially when extracted from whole grains. The best way to ensure you get healthy popcorns is to have them air popped. Popcorns will leave you fuller for longer, thus satisfying your cravings without spending a lot.
Satisfying your cravings for certain foods calls for a lot more than just eating the foods you crave for. If you prefer denying yourself, things can be overwhelming on your part. The best way to go about this is to get in touch with your cravings and honor these desires. The options shared here will go a long way in helping overcome your cravings without breaking the bank.
