What should I do when I’m stressed and crave sugary and salty junk food?

Last year, Robert DeVito shared with us his tips for Surviving the Holidays – Maintain your Weight and Keep your Sanity. This year he's sharing more great information on how to deal with cravings during the Holiday season. Managing food cravings is a simple but difficult process. In my experience, I have seen that when an individual makes a emotional judgment and gives into eating when they are not hungry it is often do to temporarily losing sight of their goal(s) and/or continuation of habits. First, understand that there are physical needs during stressful times. Your body is burning sugar and your cravings are present so you will replace immediate energy stores. Also know that an apple is a better choice than junk. Second, understand your role in the habits and choices that you have created. You MUST own your choices and your result. Look past your immediate desire and play out in your mind how you will feel while eating this "much needed" food. Play out the after effects. How do you feel once you've finished? 3 RULES TO KEEP IN MIND: #1 Become Mindful Before you begin to feel stressed is the best time to focus on how you are handling your day. Monitor your stress levels. If you are becoming "STRESSED!!!" it is time to take a break, contemplate your thoughts and actions and choose your next action. This 2-3 minute reset of thinking and breathing acts to calm you and allows you to retain focus. Remember: staying in the stressful situation will INCREASE your stress. You must change your thinking and your actions right there. #2 Control your kitchen Keep temptation out of sight. Clean the area of "junk" and create a scenario where you have to go purchase the items you want so badly. This will act to slow down your reactions. Choose fruits and vegetables first while you focus on breathing. #3 Know WHY you are eating what you are eating Say it out loud - "I am eating due to stress, not hunger."

1. Develop a mantra. Something like: "I feed my body and my needs, not my taste buds."
2. Ask yourself questions: "Why am I going to eat this? Is it because I actually want it and need it or am I re-actively responding to an immediate desire?"
3. Keep focused on your goal. Post it in sight and refer to it often.
4. Drink a glass of water to slow the decision making process down. Water can make you feel a little fuller AND it will give you something to do while deciding if you are actually going to give in to your cravings.

To your health, Robert DeVito About the Author: Robert is the President and Chief Motivational Officer for Innovation Fitness Solutions, a Butler, NJ based Coaching facility focused on Weight Loss and Personal Development. He provides advice on weight loss, healthy lifestyles and happiness!