Cravings - alternatives

michdee

So from today I've made a conscious decision to get back walking, cut out junk, and try get a bit healthier.
Now don't get me wrong, I eat well, v little processed food but my down fall is cravings. I don't know what triggers them, maybe its more when I'm getting peckish. But I'd easily have a handful of peanuts, or pack of crisps.
So what could I have as an alternative to these? Something that's as handy to grab probably as I'm always on the go.
Would love suggestions, thanks

Dial Hard

Tbh, your best bet is probably to just eat slightly more of the healthy stuff at mealtimes to stop you getting peckish in the first place.

DuckSlice

You could have a piece of fruit when you crave something? Nuts aren't the worst thing to be snacking on but the calories can stack up on them fairly quickly.

Also nothing wrong with having crisps, just make wiser choices. A packet of skips is less than 100 calories. Snax are quite low too.

My go-to on the go snack is hard boiled eggs.

Easy to prepare, can be refrigerated for a couple of days. Easy to carry around.

michdee

Thanks, I got sesame sticks yesterday and they seem to be hitting that craving feeling. Yes I suppose its just to retrain the brain isn't it..

Thanks a million

Cenitech

Do you drink coffee? If you do, I am drinking this coffee at the moment and it really takes away my cravings and for some reason I don't get hungry as much as I used to.

rachaelf750

Skyr Youghurt, specifically the passion,payapa&mago from Aldi.
It’s so tasty and has a high protein content.

Macy0161

Fruit for me - apples mainly.

Rancheros are another low calorie crisp, or I find sweet and salty popcorn (propercorn or aldi foodie market) kinda hits both.

In the evenings, I often have a few crispbreads (normally the aldi version of ryvita), with just a skim of a topping like jam. No calorie saving compared to crisps/ popcorn generally, but high in fibre.

Didititian

Fair play for getting focussed and dedicating your energy to reviewing your diet!

Snacking can be a huge struggle to get right for so many people.

All the tips so far have been great! Definitely making sure you are eating lovely healthy balanced meals of half a plate of veggies, a quarter plate of lean proteins and a quarter plate of wholegrain carbs will help curb some of those between-meal cravings.

However, regular snacking can definitely be a part of a healthy diet. I would aim for snacks that are less than 100-150kcal and that contain a little bit of protein and a little bit of high-fibre carb. 10-15 nuts for example hit the spot, or a low fat natural yoghurt and a piece of fruit. 2 rice cakes and a teaspoon of peanut butter are my favourite snack.

Definitely getting prepared in advance with snacks and meals is hugely helpful in managing unruly cravings!

Hope that was of help, and keep up the great work!

Kind regards,
Didi de Zwarte - Registered Dietitian

Mars Bar

Macy0161 wrote: »

Fruit for me - apples mainly.

Rancheros are another low calorie crisp, or I find sweet and salty popcorn (propercorn or aldi foodie market) kinda hits both.

In the evenings, I often have a few crispbreads (normally the aldi version of ryvita), with just a skim of a topping like jam. No calorie saving compared to crisps/ popcorn generally, but high in fibre.

Apples are the best! Still can't believe how low In calories they are. I have peanut butter powder so throw the apple in to a bowl with the peanut butter mix. It's low in fat and high in fiber and a helping of protein from the pb powder.

Springfields

Apple slices with nut butter are delicious and hit the sweet and savour cravings..try almond or cashew butter..

bladespin

I read somewhere that cravings are often amplified when the body is lacking something: zinc - chocolate craving etc, could be worth looking into too if you're suffering.

michdee

Thanks all great suggestions, have really been trying and have had very few crisps or nuts recently compared to normal!
Have cut out eating / snacking late at night and if I am hungry it'll be a rice cake.
Loved the apple slices with peanut butter! Oh I've often seen that skyr yogurt in aldi and wondered what it was like, must pick it up nxt time.
Thanks again for all the ideas