Eating ... Gaining Weight ... How to Control the Urge to Splurge

I confess: I'm completely addicted to Pringles. My determination weakens every time I think about munching into one, hearing the crunch, and getting that first taste of its salty flavor. Pure heaven. Although you don't flip over chips, probably there's another food that lures you into the refrigerator or the pantry cabinet. According to one study, 97% of women (compared to 68% of men) experience cravings on food.

How do you control these urges that drag you in an intoxicated shape away from your diet plan and down into the swirling vortex of pleasure? I researched on the topic to give you expert advice on how to enjoy that art called eating without turning in into a feeding frenzy. Read on - and never again feel guilty about eating a chocolate chip cookie.

Take Charge of Your Eating Habits.

Try to control the number of food cravings you experience. It appears to be impossible for humans like us, but if you psyche yourself and develop fewer cravings, then slowly you'll submit to fewer cravings.

According to one study of nearly 500 women, researchers found that women who received a daily 1, 200 milligram calcium supplement reduced their number of premenstrual food cravings by 54%. To reach the same result by getting the needed calcium intake from food, rely on skim milk and yogurt. Sounds a bit difficult for all lactose intolerant? Try some calcium-fortified foods or juices like cheese and calcium-filled orange juices. If you don't feel you can get sufficient calcium from food, make up the difference using a supplement of calcium carbonate or calcium citrate.

How about something relaxing? When you're anxious, the body produces more of the hormone cortisol, which may increase the amount of carbohydrates you want to eat. Sweets or carbohydrates temporarily increase our levels of serotonin, making us feel calm and relaxed.

Thus, one way of helping curb your sweet tooth, rent some videos, text your funniest friends, or schedule a spa weekend. Why not have a bit of chocolate once in a while? When you begin including small amounts of these forbidden foods into your diet, a funny thing happens: You don't crave them anymore.

Distinguish specific cravings from hunger. Suppose you drive by a fast food outlet and all of a sudden, you develop a deep craving for French fries. Rather than rushing down the drive thru section, reassess your urge. Turn on your favorite music and switch your attention away from the fries idea. Suppose, on the other hand, you feel the need to satisfy not the urge but your hunger, select an apple pie or salad as a substitute.

Cut Hundreds of Calories.

Sure you can cut on hundreds of calories on what you eat every day! How? By making the appropriate choices on replacing high-calorie to low-calorie foods, such as cheese, creams, whole milk, butter, etc. Here are easy tricks to keep you cooking and eating minus the calories.

? When cooking, use nonstick pan to eliminate the use of butter and/or oil.

? Remove the fat from the meat.

? Remove the skin of chicken before serving.

? Use butter-flavored seasoning on vegetables instead of sprinkling butter.

? For casseroles, desserts and sauces, use evaporated skim milk (12 cal./tbsp.) instead of heavy cream (51 cal./tbsp.)

? Cook stews and other casseroles ahead of time. Refrigerate. Remove congealed fat before serving.

? Choose real orange (71 cal.) over an orange juice (90 cal./6 oz).

? For snacks, low-calorie fruits (cucumbers, asparagus, carrots, apples, pickles) are good replacements for crackers and breads.

? Use bottled chocolate extract for milk shakes instead of sweetened cocoa.

? Use two egg whites (34 cal.) for cakes instead of one egg (82 cal.).

? Choose diet margarine (50 cal.) instead of the regular margarine (100 cal.).

? Choose cereals with the least calories then add fresh fruits to be more nutritious.

? In parties, good substitutes for snacks are carrot strips, pickle slices, and raw mushroom caps.

? Drip away fats by cooking hamburgers on the rack.

? Avoid chips with dips.

Staying in healthy shape depends on the right attitude. So how strong is your will power to control the urge?

Michael Lee is the author of "How To Be A Red Hot Persuasion Wizard," an ebook that reveals powerful secrets on how to get anything you want, including how to tremendously improve your relationships, explode your profits, win arguments, and magically influence others. Grab a sample chapter at http://www.20daypersuasion.com

---

How To Treat and Prevent Low Carb Diet Headaches

Strict "no carb" phases of low carb diets have developed a reputation for giving dieters severe headaches. Dietitians have identified a number of different factors that could cause these headaches. They vary from... Read More

Protein and Endurance Sports

Endurance Sports are like music concerts. They start at a low key, setting a steady rhythm and culminate into a crescendo that enthralls the spectator and the athlete. And not unlike an orchestra,... Read More

Reasons to Eat Organic Food

Your healthOrganically grown fruit and vegetables are not covered in a cocktail of chemicals ? even after washing, a conventionally grown apple may have 20 chemicals on its skin.Conventionally grown fruit and vegetables... Read More

Green Tea and Cholesterol Facts

A green and lush oasis in the middle of a scorching dessert. A cool breeze on a hot summer night. A bright light in the end of a cold and dark tunnel. Green... Read More

Whats Missing Could Be Making You Sick

Here's something you probably don't know. The fruit and vegetables you eat today are not as nutritious as the food from fifty years ago.Who says so? The USDA. When you compare the Food... Read More

When Is The Penny Going To Finally Drop For People?

Hi Readers,My message today is simple short and perhaps blunt to many of you. Our body's function very similar to a motor car and I see so often many many people over complicating... Read More

Healthy Eating Made Simple

The confusion about eating healthy and dieting will now be cleared up, all in one easy sentence. Are you ready? Everyone is different.What is healthy for one person is not going to be... Read More

Helping Your Immune System Win The War Against Disease

Just as our country is currently engaged in a war against covert terrorism, your immune system is similarly waging a constant war against the hidden enemies within your body.This war started before you... Read More

Guerilla Health Tactics: 5 Snappy Rules For a Healthier, Happier You

The subject of health care itself often seems plagued with conflicting advice, or even heated controversy. Witness the recent Cruise-Shields incident, which will doubtless occupy several chapters in future health and nutrition texts.... Read More

Sugar Consumption Itself Has Become a Disease

Looking into statistics, we can see the average American consumes an astounding 2-3 pounds of sugar each week. This might surprise you if not considering that highly refined sugars in the forms of... Read More

Vitamins and Minerals for a Healthy Reproductive System

Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to the development and proper performance of the reproductive system. Nutrition plays a vital role in the development and maturity of the reproductive system through childhood... Read More

Organic Food ? The Benefits of Natural and Organic Produce

Having spent most of my life living off of junk food, I was pretty shocked when I started learning about what goes into the produce we consume every day from the grocery store.Most... Read More

Calcium Absorption and Information

Ionized minerals, colloidal minerals, chelated minerals . . . What do they all mean? And what about true calcium absorption?A large segment of the mineral industry includes ionized minerals. These minerals are suspended... Read More

The Joys of Being Healthy

It is amazing to be able to say I am a whole, happy, healthy, loving woman. I was sick for the first 40 years of my life. Like millions of other human beings... Read More

Aggressive Behaviour Seems To Be Triggered By Early Age Diet

The fact that diet directly affects behaviour is no news, on the contrary, this reality has been perceived a very long time ago, as the old saying "a man is what he eats"... Read More

Stress and Aging - Human Growth Hormones

Modern life can be stressful. There are so many concerns that you have to worry about like work, family, relations, and other activities. Sometimes you have to juggle or walk on a tightrope... Read More

Beans - The Perfect Food?

Beans. Legumes. Pulses. Whatever you call this plant group, they are all edible seeds in a pod. The majority of them are packed with complete plant protein and contain almost no fat. They... Read More

The In-Office Emergency Nutritional Kit

Tired of having stare-downs with those boxes of Krispy Kremes, trays of brownies, and platters of cookies some well-intentioned but nutritionally clueless co-worker brings into the office? Be prepared for these and other... Read More

Go Nuts!

Nuts of all kinds (I am talking peanuts, cashews etc) have a mixed reputation. They are high in fat, but have no carbohydrates. Many people I know will not eat any type of... Read More

How The Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health

When was the last time you consumed soda? Most likely, it wasn't that long ago. You may even drink several cans or bottles each day. In the U.S, carbonated soft drinks are a... Read More

Food for Potential Energy

FOOD (Macro-nutrients)One of the most important aspects of hill walking or trekking and adventure holidays is to maintain your calorie intake to keep pace with the terrain & amount of equipment you are... Read More

Eggs For Balance

The egg, the symbol of birth, of life and, therefore, of spring has been celebrated by numerous cultures at this time of the year. Eggs were given as gifts at spring festivals in... Read More

Healthy Aging - The Clean-Meat Connection

It is shocking how many people are not taking advantage of the lessons from 21st Century research on cellular health. The syntax of disease is known by many researchers; and many of them... Read More

Seasonings: Add More Than Just Flavor

Besides providing taste, color, and aroma, certain seasonings can also add health to your meals. Herbs and spices contain phytochemicals which are natural health promoting substances and have been found to protect us... Read More

Nutrition Secrets Never Before Revealed

The topic of nutrition is one that is always present in our lives no matter where we turn. It's on the news, magazine articles, at school, at your doctor's office, and even is... Read More

An Open Letter to Mankind

In the last twenty years, a huge and growing body of research has been carried out into the role of the sugars that are an essential part of glycoproteins. These sugar-protein complexes are... Read More

The Importance of Good Nutrition in Keeping Your Smile Beautiful and Your Mouth Healthy

A beautiful smile and healthy mouth actually can come from in addition to regular brushing and flossing a daily diet that does not lack the essential vitamins and minerals that make vital contributions... Read More

Beauty Foods That Will Keep You Young and Healthy

You've heard that old saying: True beauty comes from within. Well, now nutritional experts have confirmed that you really are what you eat.Forget French fries and fatty hamburgers. If you want to look... Read More

Garlic - Join Me And I?ll Show You Why Garlic Can Save Your Life

Are you worried yet about your health? Are you anxious about your heart, or about the possibility of contracting cancer? If so, you are not alone, and your concerns are quite valid. Cancer... Read More