Food cravings can strike at any time. You might be watching TV, surfing Facebook or sitting at your work desk when you get that sudden food craving for something sweet or salty. What you do when that food craving strikes will determine whether or not your diet stays on track. To help you curb your sweet cravings and salty cravings, we’ve put together this list of men’s tips to control appetite and stop food cravings. Here’s what you should do the next time you’re craving something.
How to Reduce Appetite and Control Food Cravings in Men
1. Avoid trigger foods. If your trigger food is out of sight, it’s out of mind. To better control appetite, clean out your fridge and cupboards of any items that might trigger food cravings. Stock up on healthier foods instead to better control cravings. Fruits are a good choice because not only are they sweet, but they pack many antioxidants that can improve your skin and health. You can also get a similar health boost by taking a men’s antioxidant supplement . Check out “Antioxidants and Aging ” for more information on how antioxidants can help slow down aging signs like wrinkles and fine lines.
2. Go to the gym. Another way to control appetite and stop food cravings is exercise. Whenever you feel a food craving coming, you can control your appetite by hitting the weights or going for a run. Working out will distract you from food cravings, making it less likely you’ll give into that urge for some chocolate. Plus, you’ll feel guilty about ruining all your hard work at the gym with candy or another diet-unfriendly snack. “6 Quick Diet Tweaks for Men” has more simple solutions to help men reduce appetite and control cravings.
3. Drink a whey protein shake. A men’s whey protein shake is a nutritious, tasty snack that can curb cravings. A men’s whey protein powder contains muscle-building protein and amino acids that may help you increase lean muscle mass and reduce unwanted body fat. High-protein foods and drinks are known for promoting satiety, so they’ll curb hunger until your next big meal. Read “The Benefits of Protein for Men” for more information on this important macronutrient.
4. Practice safe snacking. When faced with a slice of cake or a bowl of vegetables, you’re most likely going to pick the cake — we don’t blame you. But before you dig your teeth into that sweet treat, think twice. A slice of cake can pack more than 300 calories, which can amount to a lot of gym time. Use your brain — not your stomach — to make the right choices. You’ll be surprised at how easy it can be to say “no” to a food craving when you put your mind to it and think about the consequences. “Fat-Burning Foods for Men” has a good list of healthy foods you should replace that slice of cake with.
5. Give into food cravings — occasionally. It’s OK to have some candy or cheesecake every once in a while. In the long run, an occasional treat won’t hurt you. Once a week, let yourself eat your favorite food or dessert — just make sure your healthy diet remains otherwise unchanged. Consider it a reward for all that time spent controlling your cravings.
6. Don’t dwell on mistakes. Maybe you had too many cookies. Maybe you drank too much Coke. Don’t let one mistake turn into a series of mistakes. When we eat something we shouldn’t, it’s common to give up on your diet for the rest of the day. After all, what’s the point in eating healthy if your diet is already ruined for the day? Instead of adopting that defeatist attitude, encourage yourself not to make the same mistake twice and do some exercise. You don’t need to go to a gym. You can do some push-ups at home or even burn some extra calories in the office. You can also speed up your metabolism by taking a thermogenic supplement formula . If you like the idea of working out in the office, check out “Burn Calories at Work” for some good men’s exercise tips.
