Often weight watchers find themselves craving for certain foods which are usually simple carbohydrates and sugar. The reasons for the cravings may well to fulfill a basic physiological need or a hormonal imbalance condition. Another explanation for the cravings could be due to the levels of serotonin in the body system. Serotonin is a hormone found in the brain that helps in regulating appetite and mood. When we consume food, the serotonin level rises and gives us a feeling of satisfaction. A low serotonin level can lead to a craving for a certain food in order to satisfy a feel good factor.



Here are 7 practical ways to curb your cravings for sugary and starchy stuff:

# 1 Check Your Health

It pays to have your blood sugar level checked so that a right approach action may be taken. For example, a pre-diabetic condition may well trigger cravings for sugary and refined carbohydrate foods. It is best to seek professional help first. Giving in to cravings even if the food is considered safe to eat is a mistake. It can do more harm to both health and weight management.

# 2 Eat Regular Meals

Ensure that you have at least 5-6 meals per day on a regular basis. It helps to guard against carbohydrates and sugar cravings for most people. For weight watchers, you should regulate the intake proportion with a right balance mix of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, fatty acids, minerals and fiber. Getting the right nutritional support is basic to curbing your body cravings.

# 3 Eat Healthy

Ensure that you are consuming only healthy and nutritious meals. Avoid refined and processed foods which may get your body signals mixed up. Fast foods are unhealthy as they are usually deep fried and contain trans fats. Your individual meals should be varied to contain whole grains, vegetables, legumes, beans, eggs, fish, nuts and seeds. Taking protein is important for carbohydrate cravings control as it helps in giving a feeling of fullness.

# 4 Hydrate Your Body

Drinking water is ever so vital for your body system to function efficiently especially for weight loss. Drink a full glass of water about half an hour before eating your meals. It helps in clearing your system ready for a nice meal. Drinking after meals are not advisable because it can interfere in your digestion.

# 5 Have a Ready Snack

It is good to keep some healthy low calorie snacks ready in your office or your bag. The purpose is not to encourage eating but to eat healthfully in case you find yourself in a must-eat dilemma. A recent research study has shown that chewing gum can help in reducing hunger and curb cravings which lead to a reduction in caloric intake of food for weight management.

# 6 Practice Mind Control

It remains futile to concentrate on healthy eating without taking charge of your mind. Whenever the urge to crave for a certain food crops up, immediately get into a mind discipline situation. Examine yourself why you must eat and writing down the reasons can help in controlling the cravings. Be mindful that there is a responsibility behind a decision.

# 7 Keep Busy

Keeping yourself busy is one effective way to curb your food cravings. Engage in bodily activities such as playing a game or going for a walk. Don't just read a book but keep your hands busy with some notes writing and food snacking cravings will reduce. Be flexible and change course if one particular activity causes you to crave. For example, use another route to get to your destination just to make it harder to buy the food you crave for.

Whatever the reason behind the food cravings, the need for both body and mind to work together is the key to overcoming the problem. Craving may fulfill a temporary psychological need but it fails in many aspects if you are trying to lose weight.