A nutrition pro shares three tips for doing away with your sweet tooth
Listening to your body with intention can help you decode a desire for unhealthy foods. But the key to doing so successfully is mindfulness. Here, Bethany Snodgrass, holistic health coach and operations manager at the Equinox Fitness Training Institute in New York City shares three ways to approach cravings.
Locate the trigger.
Start by asking yourself ‘What does my body want and why?’ Snodgrass says. It might feel silly at first, but sitting with the craving for a while can lead to helpful insights about its origin.
Suss out sweetness urges.
A sweet tooth can manifest when you’re feeling a lack of love in your life, or are in an environment that doesn’t feel nourishing, Snodgrass says. You might be able to quench the yearning by doing something else like lighting candles or making your place feel more like home. Chocolate cravings can also be a sign of a magnesium deficiency, which can be corrected by adding more leafy greens, avocado, and nuts to your diet.
Identify and nix nostalgic eating.
Hearing a song that reminds you of a favorite childhood food can prompt a craving even when you’re not actually hungry. Ask yourself if it’s the food or the feeling you had being with your family that you’re really seeking, Snodgrass suggests. If it’s the latter, calling them might solve the issue.