These cravings are sneaky – and can break the best of resolves! Maybe it was the rolls or the slices of pumpkin pie I ate, I’m not sure. But, I do know it’s easy to over-indulge with so many delicious, high-carb foods around.

There is quite a bit of research around this issue. Our brains are so affected by sugar, that it releases serotonin (feel-good hormone) after consuming it. So, it doesn’t just taste good, you feel good, too. It’s no wonder in times of stress, sweets are often-times a quick, feel-good fix.

When you want to give in to these cravings, it is important to ask yourself this question, “Is this present desire more important than what I want for my health?”

With this knowledge in hand, you can create a plan to battle these cravings. We put together this list of 5 foods to help keep the carb cravings away during the holidays:

1. Pecans have healthy fats and protein and are packed with good nutrients. Plain, unroasted pecans are best, as roasting ruins some of the nutritional value. But lets be real, sometimes you need a little flavor in foods.

So, if you need that, go for lightly, salted pecans with minimal ingredients added (preferably whole food ingredients). Also, pecans are a higher calorie food, so be mindful of the serving size.

2. Fresh veggies are an excellent option. When I was a kid, my Mom would cut up a big pan of celery and carrots and put them in water and set them in the fridge. We would grab these as snacks when we got home from school. You can find baby carrots already peeled at your local grocery store, making this even easier.

Additional veggie ideas:

-Get a Vitamin C boost with sliced, multicolored peppers

-Carrot chips and tuna salad dip (what you’d put in a tuna sandwich)

-Broccoli & cauliflower florets with your favorite dressing. You can find florets already bagged now, too!

3. Dark Chocolate typically has much less sugar than regular chocolate and is a great source of antioxidants. These can also be purchased in packages with individual servings for when you’re on the go or at the office.

4. Then, of course, there’s the forever standby – apples. They hit that sweet craving and are packed with nutrients! Be sure to leave the skins on to get the most benefits from them. They’re also delicious with a couple tablespoons of almond butter.

5. Beans and whole grains. You might be asking why I’d recommend foods that are higher in carbs than the previously mentioned foods. Well, this is because we do not need to cut out carbs entirely! It’s more about the quality of the carbohydrate. These are high in fiber, low in sugar, and leave you feeling full. Just try not to eat several cups of them at once. A serving is typically 1/2 to 1 cup.

On another note – Starting your day with a POWER Coffee is a great way to start with a fasting morning that will break the carb cravings. Here is the full Recipe and video

If your Carb Cravings are not just about sweets but just wanting to snack and browse maybe you are missing some important Gut Nutrients. GLP-1 and other probiotics can help with food cravings. Here is a short Blog post about this: How to Curb Food Cravings – Naturally

On those days when you know you just ate too much a Digestive Enzyme can really help. This is one that has been very popular recently: Digest-A-Meal. We also put together a short article with 3 Secrets to Healthy Digestion that you may like. If you are tired of feeling sick and tired this info may be helpful.

A few additional TIPS ~ Foods that are healthful with just a little preparation are:

• Avocados
• Kale chips
• Fruit and vegetable smoothies
• Chai seed pudding

Remember:

~ Hunger pains only last about 10 minutes, so when hunger or cravings hit, drink a glass of water and do something to stay busy so you don’t think about what you “can’t” have.

~ If this is a new journey for you – be kind to yourself. We’re not perfect. It’s important to start somewhere, though, so great job.

I hope this helps you in your day and gives you a few new tools to fight of carb cravings.

Until next time – Be Well !!