Embracing Food Freedom: 5 Tips for Managing Portion Sizes and Controlling Cravings 🍕
Do you find yourself constantly craving certain foods, especially those that you've labelled as "off-limits"?
Maybe you've tried to control your portion sizes meticulously, only to find yourself feeling deprived and constantly battling cravings.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone.
Many of us have been conditioned to see certain foods as "bad" and restrict ourselves, leading to an unhealthy relationship with food.
However, there are quite a few ways to break free from this cycle and find balance in your eating habits.
Here are just a few pointers that might help…
Tip 1: Shift Your Mindset
Instead of categorising foods as "good" or "bad," try to adopt a more balanced approach.
This is one of the reasons I do not like “cheat days” or “cheat meals”, it sets you up for a bingeing mentality when you finally allow yourself these forbidden foods.
With the right strategy you can allow yourself to enjoy all foods without judgement and not on just one day of the week.
When you remove the labels of “good” and “bad” and restrictions, you'll find that you're less likely to crave those forbidden foods anyway.
Tip 2: Be Aware of What You Eat
When a craving strikes, opt for lower-calorie versions of your favourite treats.
For example, I eat Solero ice cream almost daily, don’t judge me but I love ice cream 😂 (for those that don’t know it's vanilla and mango ice cream).
And with only 98 calories per serving, it's a guilt-free indulgence compared to other ice cream options with upwards of 300 calories per serving.
These small swaps can make a big difference in managing your overall calorie intake.
Tip 3: Include Nutrient-Dense Foods
While it's important to enjoy all foods, focusing on nutrient-dense options can help keep cravings at bay and support overall health.
Aim to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats in your diet.
These foods provide essential nutrients and help keep you feeling satisfied and energised.
Tip 4: Find Healthy Swaps
If you find yourself craving certain foods, look for healthier alternatives that satisfy your cravings without derailing your goals.
For example, if you're craving something salty, opt for air-popped popcorn or roasted nuts instead of chips.
Tip 5: Plan Ahead
Planning ahead is vital for managing portion sizes and cravings effectively.
Make a shopping list before heading to the store to avoid impulse purchases.
Prepare in advance and just have a snack bar in your bag to prevent overeating on impulse bad choices when nothing else is around.
Anticipate situations where cravings may arise, like social events or stress, and have a plan in place to navigate them.
By planning ahead, you empower yourself to make healthier choices and maintain balance in your diet.
In Conclusion
These are just a few simple tips of things you can do.
However ideally, long-term, the ultimate goal is to be able to eat more by building muscle.
By increasing your muscle mass, you can boost your metabolism and have a higher calorie expenditure, allowing you to enjoy more food while still maintaining a healthy weight and physique.
This approach requires a structured strategic approach but pays off by offering flexibility in eating habits and allows for indulgence without strict dietary restrictions.
Ultimately, the goal is to increase your ability to eat without worrying about portion sizes as much, allowing you to indulge in your favourite foods guilt-free while staying in shape…
Just like my clients and I do 🚀
I hope you got some value out of today article!
Always remember that strategy is your friend.
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By us working together, I can simplify and strategically plan your weight loss journey for you without you having to give up your favourite foods or do endless cardio to get results that last.
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