Cravings happen even to the healthiest of us. Often, when a craving hits in the afternoon or the evening after dinner, we get the urge to snack. Snacking can be a bad habit to get into because the snacks we choose are often junky, unhealthy, and high in calories, sugar, sodium, or fat. Snacking on these foods can sabotage all of our hard work!

The trick to snacking without piling on the pounds is to find healthy alternatives to the regular snacks you might normally reach for.

Usually, when we get a craving it is for either something sweet (chocolate!), savory and salty (potato chips!), creamy (ice cream!), or crunchy (chips!). Obviously, my examples are foods you shouldn’t eat all the time if you want to be trim and healthy. But that doesn’t mean you have to fight your cravings for the rest of your life. Instead, you just need to substitute with healthier options.

The next time you get a craving for something sweet, why not try:

• fresh, whole fruit
• apple with cinnamon and almond butter or peanut butter
• green smoothies
• green juice
• banana “ice cream” (peel a banana, freeze (or use frozen bananas), blend in a food processor with nuts, berries, cacao powder, and a little non-dairy milk.) - Delicious!
• dates stuffed with almond butter or other nut butter
• organic dark chocolate chips or carob chips with peanut butter

For your savory and salty cravings, try these healthy alternatives:

• olives
• pickles and pickled vegetables, such as carrot, daikon, beets, and lotus root
• whole grain crackers or veggies with hummus
• steamed vegetables with coconut aminos
• freshly made salsa or guacamole with baked tortilla chips or Beanfields unsalted tortilla chips
• lightly salted edamame
• Skinny Pop popcorn

Your creamy cravings can be met by eating:

• smoothies
• avocados (add to smoothie for a creamier smoothie)
• rice pudding
• dips and spreads, like hummus or tree nut cheese
• puréed soups
• puddings made with silken tofu, avocado, or mashed banana
• mashed sweet potatoes

Finally, don't cave and reach for the Pringles, when you can eat these crunchy (but still healthy) snacks:

• apples
• frozen grapes
• rice cakes
• light popcorn or plain popcorn (use coconut oil to pop in a covered pan) or try Skinny Pop popcorn
• carrots (particularly the sweet, organic baby carrots)
• celery and nut butter
• raw, unsalted nuts like cashews, almonds, and walnuts
• sweet potato (or other veggies like zucchini, beet, etc) chips

Don’t fight your cravings. Instead, listen to what your body wants specifically and choose the healthier option that will be good to your waistline.

What are you waiting for?  Life is too short to continue holding yourself back any longer. Take a small step today to change your life.

I would love to guide and support you on your journey! Schedule your free Transformation Discovery consultation now! You are capable of much more than you realize.  You can have the life you've always dreamed of and this can be accomplished by committing to yourself and taking small baby steps every day.

Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any illness or disease.

The information provided in this blog is for general educational purposes, has not been reviewed nor approved by the FDA and is not intended to take the place of advice from your medical professional, licensed dietitian or nutritionist.

You are solely responsible for your health care and activity choices. Participation in this blog does not constitute a client-coach relationship.