FOCUS ON… Junk-food cravings
Biscuit tin calling? Defeat temptation with these expert tips
1 Exercise willpower
‘Yes, it’s hard to change your eating habits but the only way you’ll become better and more experienced in choosing healthier food options is to exercise willpower and choose to not give in to temptation,’ says Jennifer Irvine, founder of gourmetdiet delivery business The Pure Package.
‘It does get easier, but practise makes perfect.’
2 Snack wisely
‘As humans, we naturally tend to make unhealthier food choices when we’re hungry,’ says Jennifer. ‘Make sure you have healthy snacks on hand when you get peckish and never allow yourself to get to a point where you feel extreme hunger.’
3 Catch some zzz
‘I recommend seven to nine hours every night to allow our bodies to properly rest, recover and regenerate from the day’s activities,’ says Dr Shan Hussain, GP, health coach and wellness advisor.
‘Poor sleep can cause hormone imbalances that trigger sugar cravings.’ Having a set bedtime routine can help.
4 Don’t shop at lunchtime Ever tried shopping hungry? ‘Your mouth will salivate and all good intentions will be lost,’ says clinical nutritionist Suzie Sawyer. ‘It’s much easier to purchase your weekly supermarket shop online, as you’ll avoid any of those temptations.’
5 Get distracted ‘Sometimes we crave unhealthy foods simply because we’re bored! Go for a walk or phone a friend and try forgetting about food for a while,’ says Jennifer.
6 Drink water
‘Aim to drink 2-3ltr per day – unless advised otherwise by your doctor,’ says Dr Hussain. ‘Many of us are underhydrated and thirst can often disguise itself as hunger.
‘Sometimes, just knocking back a large glass of water can reduce or even remove the temptation of eating unhealthy foods.’