Friday, December 21, 2012

What to do About that Craving


Cravings are not just for pregnant ladies; we all have them.  The question is how should we handle them?

Last night I was having a chocolate craving.  That's not unusual.  Chocolate is a must-have in my life.  As I put the kids to bed I tried to figure out what I could have that would satisfy that craving.  I have done a pretty good job of cleaning out my house lately so there is little junk around to eat - that included chocolate.  I had been having this craving for a few hours and just didn't think it was going to go away unless I satisfied it.  After the kids were in bed and I had time to look and think I spied the chocolate peanut butter cereal.  I had bought it for the kids when Josiah asked for it on our last shopping trip. I had limited the kids to eating one bowl per morning because if I let them they would eat the whole box in one sitting.  We have had it for a few days so when I looked in the box there was just about a half of a serving left.  I decided that it should be just enough to satisfy the craving.

I don't know what you think about the way I handled my craving but I was happy with it.  There was a time that I would try to eat something else to satisfy the craving instead of what I was craving.  That rarely ever worked.  The craving would just get stronger and I would eventually end up eating what I really wanted in addition to all of the stuff I ate to make the craving go away.  Also, once I finally would give into the craving I would eat it in large portions. I have learned that if I just eat a small portion of the chocolate or whatever I am craving I will eat less in the long run.  Eating around the craving just doesn't work for me.  I have to satisfy the craving and move on.

This doesn't mean that I eat anything I want at any time but I can tell something is a craving if it just wont go away with water, fruits or veggies.  If I am having a craving for something sweet, a piece of fruit or a non-fat yogurt will often handle that craving successfully, but when I am having a specific craving it's best to satisfy it with that specific food.

Last night after my chocolate craving was gone I realized how far I have come.  I remember the days that I would sit in front of the TV at night and eat a half of a bag of chocolate chips because it was all I could find for my chocolate craving - and that was after I had eaten all of the other junk in the house too.

What do you really crave?  Have some of it in small portions, count it and move on happily - no guilt involved.

Have a great day,
Corinna

"As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, 'Where is your God?'" -Psalm 42:1-3

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Corinna