Plan for Handling Cravings - Start with Breakfast
Published on Jan 25th, 2008 in Cravings, Health, Nutrition with
Cravings happen. Sometimes they seem to pop out of nowhere. Sometimes they’re emotional. And sometimes they exist simply because I’m getting hungry! My feelings towards cravings have always been the same, regardless of the situation: I don’t like them!
What I need is to come up with a plan that will assist me in handling my cravings the best way possible. In my experience, making small changes over time is easier to adopt and is more effective than trying to change everything in one fell swoop. I’m also sure that as I learn more, my battle plan may change. In the days to come I’ll focus on these changes that I feel work best for me. The one I will focus on today is:
A Quality Breakfast: The first step to battling junk food cravings
Why breakfast? Breakfast gives the body fuel and keeps blood sugar levels steadier. I know that if I skip breakfast my blood sugar will crash about mid morning, and then I’ll stuff myself silly come lunchtime. Steady blood sugar levels means I’ll avoid “crashing” and subsequant overeating. It also means I’ll feel a lot more alert and energetic, and I need this as I’m not a morning person! 
Not all breakfasts are the same, though. A mocha latte with whipped cream sounds like a tasty breakfast, but it’s not particularly healthy, nor would it hold me all morning! When I say a “quality” breakfast, I’m refering to a breakfast with some protein and complex carbohydrates.
- Complex carbs have fiber and more nutrients than the refined stuff. Again, my blood sugar will be a lot steadier, and that means I avoid the sugar crash.
- Protein will hold my hunger at bay for a longer period of time.
Now the hard part: Incorporating all of this into a breakfast I will actually eat!
Here are some breakfast options I’ve come up with that I know I would enjoy:
- High fiber, protein whole grain cereal with skim milk or soy milk
- Whole wheat toast with scrambled eggs (made with mostly egg whites)
- Oatmeal with a bit of protein powder, walnuts, and skim milk added to it (add don’t forget chopped apples and cinnamon!)
- Breakfast burrito - scrambled eggs, onions, peppers, low fat cheese in a whole grain tortilla
- Pancakes and sausage!!! (OK, only if the pancakes are made with something other than refined flour and the sausages are made from turkey or soy beans!!)
(I was really only kidding about the pancakes and sausage part… sort of!)
I think these are realistic and palatable options, and I’m going to give them a try in the days to come. I’ll let you know what happens. Feel free to voice your suggestions or share what breakfasts work for you.
