{"id":18407,"date":"2018-11-15T16:09:05","date_gmt":"2018-11-15T21:09:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/burnbootcamp.com\/?p=18407"},"modified":"2022-08-17T02:21:37","modified_gmt":"2022-08-17T06:21:37","slug":"how-to-stop-your-food-cravings-without-more-discipline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/burnbootcamp.com\/how-to-stop-your-food-cravings-without-more-discipline\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Stop Your Food Cravings (Without More Discipline!)"},"content":{"rendered":"

We all have food cravings. And most likely we all get upset with ourselves for not having more discipline when we give into them. We think to ourselves, \u201cIf only I were stronger\u201d or we ask ourselves, \u201cWhy can\u2019t I control myself?\u201d Well, guess what? You can stop beating yourself up because battling food cravings has nothing to do with developing greater discipline! <\/span><\/p>\n

But instead of just learning tips on how to reduce your food cravings, it\u2019s important to understand <\/span>why<\/span><\/i> you are having these cravings in order to actually overcome them. So<\/span> before we dive into how to control them (without more discipline), let\u2019s find out what is actually causing you to experience your cravings. <\/span><\/p>\n

Reason #1: You have poor gut health. <\/b><\/h2>\n

Did you know your gut controls your food cravings, not your lack of discipline? Your food cravings are shaped by the bacteria in your gut. Your gut bacteria plays a huge role in why you have cravings. You have good gut bacteria and bad gut bacteria<\/a>; the one that is predominant in your gut depends on the foods you feed your body as well as external sources you are regularly exposed to. <\/span><\/p>\n

W<\/span>hether it\u2019s good or bad gut bacteria, it needs more of that same bacteria in order to continue growing and thriving. Bad gut bacteria grows and thrives on processed, high-sodium, high-sugar, high-carbohydrate foods. When your bad gut bacteria takes over, it sends messages to your brain demanding more of these foods in order to stay alive, leading you to experience heightened food cravings. <\/span><\/p>\n

Reason #2: Your hormones are out of balance.<\/b><\/h2>\n

You don\u2019t always feel hungry because you are actually hungry. When you have lowered or heightened levels of certain hormones, it triggers your brain to falsely believe it needs more food. So if you keep eating and eating and never feel full or are always searching for that extra something to satisfy you, this is a clear sign that your hormones are out of balance. <\/span><\/p>\n

Two hormones that play a large role in regulating your hunger and appetite are leptin<\/a> (the \u201cI\u2019m full\u201d hormone) and ghrelin<\/a> (the \u201cI\u2019m hungry\u201d hormone). When you have low levels of leptin, triggering you to stop eating, and high levels of ghrelin, triggering you to keep eating, your food cravings will be out of control! <\/span><\/p>\n

Dopamine and serotonin are two other hormones that greatly influence your food cravings. Dopamine and serotonin regulate your mood and happiness levels, and when these hormones are out of balance, you may never feel happy and satisfied with your meals, or they may trigger you to emotionally crave foods<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

So now that you know what may be causing your food cravings, what can you do about it? <\/b><\/h4>\n

1. Take control of your gut health! <\/b><\/h2>\n

Your food cravings heavily depend on the quality of your gut health, and the quality of your gut heavily depends on the food you feed it. You want to feed and grow the good bacteria and kill off the bad. So how do you do that? <\/span><\/p>\n

Avoid foods that destroy your gut health<\/a>! These include foods that are heavily processed and high in sodium and sugar or converted into sugar easily. Foods that contain gluten, dairy or artificial sweeteners or additives can also wreak havoc on your gut. You also want to avoid drinking unfiltered tap water, control your carbohydrate intake, limit your exposure to antibiotics (especially in your foods!) and restrict your alcohol intake.<\/span><\/p>\n

To feed and grow the good bacteria in your gut<\/a>, you want to include more prebiotics, probiotics and whole foods in your diet. <\/span><\/p>\n

Some prebiotic-rich foods to include: <\/span><\/p>\n