How to Resist Craving Sweets

It's no danger to your health to indulge in a modest treat now and again... as long as you don't become a slave to it. If you simply cannot pass the candy vending machine at work without caving in, it's time for a lifestyle change. This doesn't have to mean a diet. In fact, dieting might be the worst thing you could do for yourself, as deprivation often leads to temptation. The trick is to restructure your eating habits in a way that's OK with you, and will be for the long haul.

Instructions

1. Deny yourself only when you know your craving is unreasonable. If you exercise frequently or have a naturally high metabolism, you might indulge in something sweet every day and never find anything wrong with it. The trick is to modify your portions. Is one bite-size piece of chocolate unreasonable? Probably not, depending upon your medical history. Is the whole bagful? No matter how much you exercise or how high your metabolism is, it's a safe bet that the answer is yes. Feel free to reward your own good behavior and encourage future good habits by indulging in a little something-just remember to monitor yourself carefully and be honest with yourself.

2. Substitute a piece of fruit whenever you get the urge to consume something high in unnatural forms of sugar. The craving for sweets began at the dawn of humanity, when our species was nomadic and subsisted largely on wild berries. Berries contain vitamins in addition to sugar; unfortunately, candy bars do not. Your urge to eat candy bars is a learned habit, as these were not part of your ancestral environment. In order to break any habit, you must realize where it comes from and work with it rather than against it. Carry easily transported fruits such as apples and bananas with you wherever you go. Learn how to make fruit compotes, poached fruit and dried fruit for special treats at home. These may contain a little extra sugar; but since the bulk of them comes from a natural source, your body has a much easier time burning them than it does foods high in artificial sweeteners. If necessary, add a bit of cream or ice cream to your treats at first; then slowly wean yourself off of these dairy components until just the fruit suffices.

3. Find a distraction-it's natural to gravitate toward eating when you're bored. If possible, make this an activity that fully engages both your mind and your hands. Play a video game, do a puzzle, work out or immerse yourself in a career/school-related task.

4. Stay positive. Misery is another surefire lead-in to wolfing down that entire batch of cookies you just baked. Try to look on the bright side no matter what is happening in your life; and if this proves impossible, concentrate on something else that does make you happy. With any luck, positive thoughts will prove as effective as the distractions suggested in step 3.