Chocolate, ice cream or, perchance, potato chips? Food cravings can overcome even the most determined dieter. If you're frustrated by those longings for forbidden foods, Dr. Mark Liponis wants to help. Author of the renowned "The Hunter/Farmer Diet Solution: Do You Have the Metabolism of a Hunter or a Farmer? Find Out...and Achieve Your Health and Weight-Loss Goals" and "UltraLongevity: The Seven-Step Program for a Younger, Healthier You," Dr. Liponis has appeared on the "Dr. Oz Show" to share his weight loss expertise. In an exclusive interview, he explained how you can cope with cravings.
"Cravings are hard-wired into the brain," explains Dr. Liponis. "They originate from the same place as other pleasurable cravings for things like sex, the thrill of gambling, or the effect of drugs. But there's also a biological craving for calories (appetite) that's the result of a complex mix of hormones that affect appetite and satiety." Your passion for a specific food results from your experience of eating it combined with your memory of how good it tasted and felt.
So what's the solution? Changing your mood can impact your ability to resist cravings, which you can do through boosting your serotonin, exercising, getting enough sleep or laughter. "If you're trying to limit carbs, then reserve them for your latest meal," suggests Dr. Liponis. "Eating a few (safe) carbs at night helps create a certain level of calm or satisfaction that might help you get to sleep, and that can help boost serotonin levels for the next day." Trying to reduce your intake of fat? Then opt for non-fat dairy foods and lean proteins. Enjoy lower calorie-density foods such as beans and berries.
And if you're on a night-time eater, keep safe snacks on hand, such as air-popped popcorn and organic berries. If you have "dangerous" foods in the house, you're more apt to give in. Get more help from Dr. Liponis by clicking here to buy "The Hunter/Farmer Diet Solution."
Comments