Are cravings controlling your eating habits? Well, they don’t have to anymore. Cravings are overated. Learn how to use your mind to change what you crave. You will lose weight.
If I were to ask you what foods tempt you, chances are they aren’t healthy. You might be thinking of ice cream, potato chips, pizza, or something similar right now. Honestly? As you’re reading this paragraph, you’re probably already thinking about some unhealthy food.
But the main point of this article is this: you can change your cravings simply by training your brain.
Cravings Are Not a Problem—They’re a Solution
Every new client who comes to me for weight loss has a common problem—a craving problem. But I see this as a solution, not a problem.
Cravings are overrated. They are hodgepodge, and we have no control over them. There’s no need to be tempted by ice cream, cookies, or heavy steaks. Instead, we can shift cravings toward healthy fruits and vegetables—like watermelon, pineapple, oranges, or apples. Sound crazy? No, and you’ll see how possible.
Step 1: Understanding Your Eating Habits
When I talk to a client, I collect all the details:
- What they eat
- How they eat
- When and how much they eat
The culprit of weight problems is usually:
- Snacking
- Unhealthy foods
- Overeating
Then I ask them which fruits and vegetables they like. So far, no one has told me they don’t like fruits or vegetables. But the problem is that they eat fewer fruits and vegetables and more unhealthy foods.
Step 2: Train the Mind
Once all the information is in, I put my clients into a relaxed state.
- I ask them to sit in a recliner.
- I ask them to close their eyes.
- I take their mind to a peaceful place.
Then I talk to them about their favorite fruits and vegetables.
I say, “Imagine biting into your favorite juicy fruit. Juices tickle your taste buds.”
Then I suggest to their subconscious mind:
“From now on, anytime you have a craving for food, you will automatically feel a fruit craving.”
And the next thing you know? Their cravings shift. Why? Because when you relax, your subconscious mind emerges—and that’s what controls what you crave. Change your thoughts, your cravings will change. Simple.
Step 3: Visualizing Cravings
Let’s take an example: Pineapple is your favorite fruit. If I give you a juicy chunk right now, you’ll enjoy it and want more, right?
Now if I offer you a slice of chocolate cake, you’ll probably still choose pineapple, because your subconscious has already developed a fruity craving.
Fact: You can enjoy fruits just as much as junk foods; you just have to train your brain.
Step 4: 5-Minute Mental Exercise to Shift Cravings
You can start this exercise right now:
Step 1:
- Choose a quiet and comfortable place.
- Take deep breaths, relax.
- Slowly count from 10 to 1, bringing your mind into deeper relaxation with each count.
Step 2:
- Imagine you are in your favorite place.
- Go to a beach, forest, or some peaceful place.
- Imagine yourself feeling calm and relaxed.
Step 3:
- Imagine a basket of fresh fruits near you.
- Visualize the colors, texture, and feel of the fruit clearly.
- Imagine a bite and enjoy it.
Step 4:
- Repeat: “From now on, anytime I think of after eating, I immediately feel a craving for fruit.”
- Repeat this 10 times.
Step 5:
- Slowly count from 1 to 5.
- Open your eyes on 5.
Conclusion
Cravings are not difficult to control. By training your subconscious mind, you can convert junk food cravings into healthy fruit and vegetable cravings.
Remember: Thoughts change = cravings change.
