Ways to Curb Your Junk Food Cravings

Amy Taylor September 22, 2014

Feeling bad because after hours of trying to resist it, you just gave in to your junk food cravings? Junk foods don’t only sabotage your weight loss efforts. They also sabotage your health. These processed meals/snacks are jam-packed with artificial sweeteners, preservatives and other chemicals that increase your risk of developing health problems.

Try these tricks to curb cravings and keep your tummy from filling up on sweets and snacks.

Keep a food journal.

Reducing your junk food intake begins with being aware of how much of them you actually eat. It is helpful to keep a record of everything you eat or drink and your reactions to them for at least three days. Aside from listing the junk foods you’ve eaten for a day, also write down the symptoms or bodily sensations you feel right after. Did you experience headache, bloating, fatigue, mood swings, sugar crash, etc.?

Examine your eating habits.

How many times on a week do you eat junk food or stop at fast food places? Do you find that your on-the-go lifestyle lands you in the fast food drive-thru more than once per day? Do you experience late night cravings that prompt you to binge-eat on sugary snacks? Do you pick up a meal on your way home from work because so you don’t have to go home and make dinner? Keeping a food journal can help you with this.

Begin with small limitations.

Going cold turkey and restricting yourself from every single type of junk food can lead to disaster. Start off with small limitations such as no artificial sweeteners or no soda, and then add to your list the big No-Nos as you feel ready.

Make your pantry junk-food free.

Here’s the thing: you can’t eat what isn’t there. Clear your pantry with junk foods so you won’t have anything unhealthy to eat anytime you want. Instead, replace them with healthy options, such as whole grains, nuts, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Choose to enjoy junk foods only when dining out, and not on a daily basis.

Shop smartly.

Your health depends on your food choices. When grocery shopping, take the time to read and compare the food labels in order to choose the healthiest option available. Shopping healthy will really be no different than your usual trip to the market. Keep in mind that the fresher the item, the more nutrition it offers.

Change bad habits.

Sometimes, our habits play a role in our food choices. If you’re the “couch potato” type, you are more likely to be consuming more of junk foods. So don’t just focus on what you eat. Also pay attention to the other aspects of your lifestyle. Start being active today. Exercise has been proven to significantly reduce food cravings. Avoid sleeping late because studies show we tend to have poor food choices when we’re sleepy. When you are feeling energised enough, you don’t need a soda or cookie to pep you up.

Find healthier alternatives.

This tip is really helpful especially when you feel like you are being deprived. Instead of the high-fat options, go with the low-fat versions. Want some pizza? Choose the vegetarian flavour. Craving for chocolates? Drop the milk-covered versions and enjoy dark chocolates.

By making efforts to curb your junk food cravings, you are making it easy for yourself to lose weight and become healthier.