If you have a strong desire for something, it could be labelled as a craving. Food, drinks and emotions can all be part of cravings and in some cases these need controlling. Cravings are caused by the brain channelling memory and pleasure. This is why we reward ourselves with cravings, as our mind and body remember the treat and want to feel the pleasure of enjoying it again.
Cravings can occasionally be harmful to our health. This is because the constant consumption of one thing can make our bodies too used to receiving it. For this reason, it’s critical to replace harmful cravings with more sensible options. If you’re trying to break bad habits and desires, there are lots of healthy solutions available.
We’ll look at ways to use healthier substitutes to combat our cravings in this guide. We’ll do this by examining various craving types and present you with a range of options.
Sweet Treats
Nothing satisfies a craving more than sweets. This is understandable given that sugar has become a necessary component of modern cuisine as it appears in everything. Our appetites speed up when we consume more sugary foods because we are reminded of their flavour and want to experience the joy of indulging in them again. It’s evolved into a means of self-reward.
The sporadic sugary treat won’t harm you, but consuming them frequently can be detrimental to your overall health. Let’s take a look at some of these craving choices and outline the possible replacements that you can try:
Donuts
While store-bought donuts are typically loaded with sugar, you can produce homemade donuts with healthier, more natural ingredients. Yoghurts, fresh fruit, and whole wheat flour can all be utilised.
Chocolate
Fruits like strawberries, cherries, and dates can actually simulate the sweetness of chocolate. For a similar-tasting, calorie-free option, try herbal teas with chocolate flavours.
Ice Cream
Shaved ice, Greek yoghurt, and coconut milk are all healthier ice cream making substitutes that can satisfy what we want. Sugar free ice cream is also sold in supermarkets.
Fizzy Drinks
A whopping 63% of adults who are 18 years of age or older drink sugar-sweetened beverages once or more a day. There are substitutes available that will provide you with the same outcome while enhancing your health. Among these are a few of these:
Flavour-Infused Water: The majority of these waters contain added sugar and artificial sweeteners when bought from stores. However, sliced fruit can be put in a pitcher of water at home to naturally flavour it.
- Sparkling Water: Drinking fizzy water is an excellent method to satisfy your appetite for carbonated beverages, as it has the tingly sensation while also picking up a healthy habit.
- Vegetable Juice: Homemade juice is an excellent substitute for fizzy drinks. Vegetable juice’s natural sugar level is far lower than that of fruit, making it better for your teeth.
- Kombucha: This beverage can substitute carbonated drinks perfectly if you become used to its mild tang. It’s a fantastic low-calorie choice to maximise your well-being.
Coffee
Excessive coffee consumption has been linked to poor health, as it can make us feel restless or uneasy. Drinking one or two cups of coffee in the morning is acceptable, but don’t consume it all day unless you want some complications. There are some healthier replacements to drinking coffee:
Drink Tea
Drinking tea has zero negative effects on the body. While it does have some levels of caffeine, it is safe to drink tea as it has heart health benefits and is good for longevity. Tea can also come in a variety of different flavours like green, herbal and rooibos.
Chicory Roots
Roasted chicory roots mixed with hot water produce a wonderful drink that will satisfy your craving for coffee. Because it contains a high concentration of inulin, it can provide a number of health benefits. This coffee alternative is very easy to make and will only take out a few minutes of your day.
Nicotine
Nape pens, nicopods, and cigarettes all contain large amounts of nicotine. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products assist you in adjusting to a life without nicotine by only giving you it in very small amounts. Some examples of NRTs include:
- Gum: These nicotine tasting gum pieces can give you satisfaction without serious nicotine intake. They usually help people quit smoking after six months.
- Patches: These can be placed on the upper chest, upper arm, shoulder or inner arm for a small nicotine dosage. This is much healthier than smoking cigarettes.
- Lozenges: Sucking on lozenges is the fastest NRT product, as the nicotine is consumed quickly. They can help you slowly prepare for a nicotine free life.
You can also use medications like bupropion and varenicline to help your cravings. For advice, please see a medical professional before using medication.