How to Control Your Cravings While on the Paleo Diet

One problem that is often faced by dieters is how to stop their cravings for certain foods. Some diet plan will prohibit you to eat specific foods that could happen to be something that you used to enjoy. The sudden restriction can naturally make a person feel like the diet plan is making him or her miserable, especially when the cravings surfaces. A diet program, like The Paleo Diet, can therefore be a big challenge for some people.

The Paleo Diet is authored by Dr. Loren Cordain. It suggests that you only eat lean meat, vegetables, and non-starchy fruits. Essentially, it restricts the consumption of dairy products and foods that are high in carbohydrates and saturated fat. This diet is designed from how people ate during the Paleolithic age, when cavemen relied on the animals that they hunted and on plant-based food for their daily sustenance. According to Cordain’s studies, following this type of diet is healthy for the body because it prevents the development of diseases such as diabetes, coronary problems, cancer, and obesity, among others. Doing the Paleo Diet could be a challenge, though, especially if you used to love processed foods, sweets, and dairy products. To help you curb those cravings, here are some tips that may help you.

·         Be Patient and Take Control

You cannot teach your body to adapt to the new diet overnight. It takes time. It will definitely be hard at the beginning, but your body will slowly adjust to your new food choices and the cravings will slowly go away. In the meantime, try to control your cravings and do not give up on the Paleo Diet easily. 

·         Clean Your Pantry

It will be hard to suppress your cravings if there is a box of donut in front of you. Therefore, the first thing that you should do once you decide to follow the Paleo Diet is to remove all foods that are restricted in the program from your pantry. If the food that you are craving for is not available inside your home, you are less likely to surrender to the temptation. Remember, take control and be disciplined about the program.

·         Change Your Eating Habits

Another sacrifice that you would temporarily have to make is to avoid eating with people who are freely indulging on foods that you are not supposed to consume. If you used to eat with a group during lunch at work, consider bringing your own food for a while and having your meals separate from them. This will put distance between you and the foods that you are craving for. Of course, this is only temporary. In a few weeks or months, you will be in total control of your cravings that no amount of temptation can make you give in.

·         Look for Substitutes

The center of your cravings will normally be sweet foods, like cakes and ice cream. You can easily satisfy your sweet tooth by eating a piece of fruit instead. Fruits contain natural sugars and they are also rich in fiber. The Paleo cookbook also contains various recipes that are made from healthy ingredients, so you can eat them free from guilt. 

Remember, it will only be difficult at the start. Once your body adapts to the Paleo Diet, you will soon be enjoying your meals and start reaping the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.