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Guest post by Liz D. liz@cbd-news.co

One of the most challenging aspects of weight loss is controlling the craving for food. A whole industry has been built around weight loss and the problem of obesity. However, many experts believe one of the keys to losing those extra pounds is simply to take in fewer calories than you burn each day. 

But like most issues in life, it’s not that easy. Also, craving for a specific delicacy is quite different from hunger. Usually, you know you’re hungry when your stomach begins to growl, your head feels light, and you can’t stop thinking about eating. Maybe you make a trip to the medical mushroom dispensary a few times but still can’t seem to get your craving under control. 

But how do you know you’re just craving and not hungry?

The Broccoli Test

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A simple test, known as the broccoli test, can help tell you if you’re just craving food or feeling hungry. Here it is: If a bowl of broccoli isn’t appealing to satisfy you for your feelings, then it’s very likely that you have a craving. However, it’s important to note that there may be valid reasons behind your body’s craving for a specific food. 

However, intense craving can upset your diet plans and your resolutions to eat well. Thus, overriding rational thinking with thoughts such as “You only live once!” or “Just this once!” or “You deserve this!” 

The first step to weight loss and curbing cravings is knowing that everyone gets these feelings. Therefore, they are absolutely normal. What you need is a key to help you remain on track and overcome those thoughts of “Just one doughnut.”

This secret is broken down into three formats as follows:

Good - Try Fighting The Craving

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Most people try this option and undoubtedly fail in the long-term. This approach to weight loss isn’t long-term and is draining. Usually, you use every ounce of your will to avoid thinking about the foods you usually crave. This strategy only has one problem; it feels like torture. 

Here is an example. If someone asked you not to think about brown bears; you could think about all things except brown bears. You’ll quickly realize that trying to avoid the thought of something will always bring that thing to mind. In other words, the attempt to suppress the thought becomes a fixation. Thus, the reason why a restrictive diet usually fails. 

In the long run, most people give in to the internal dialogue, which is usually a debate “I shouldn’t eat this; I should eat that.” This goes on, and all you need to do to get rid of this is to eat whatever you can’t stop thinking about. That’s why there’s the need for another approach, the kind of strategy that addresses weight loss and craving at the same time. 

Better - Distractions From Craving

Some people adopt the strategy of distractions. It’s often common to forget your meals when you’re very busy. Other activities, such as bathing and drinking water, can also be overlooked when you’re immersed in something. But there’s a reason why this happens. Usually, high levels of concentration keep the thoughts of craving away. 

Thus, distractions are more effective than restrictive eating. Also, you have a wide range of activities such as problem-solving games, hobbies, and work. According to studies reported in the Appetite journal, individuals who partook in the studies experienced less temptation to eat food when distracted. 

The research discovered that indulging playing only for three minutes was enough to overcome craving. Thus, playing some Candy Crush or Playstation 4 games gives your fingers and mind some interesting things to do. Irrespective of what you choose to distract yourself, it’s vital to decide before the thoughts of craving creep in. 

It’s undeniable that this strategy works. However, there’s a secret solution that deals with the root cause and serves as the best option for curbing craving. 

Best - Address the Root Cause

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A much smarter and more effective option is to tackle your craving with a substance known to affect the human body at the physiological level. In this case, the secret to fighting food craving is a strong psychedelic called psilocybin. Psilocybin mushrooms, which you can get at any medical mushroom dispensary, are also useful for testing several conditions such as depression, chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, and even obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

But how does this work?

Psilocybin helps repress craving by activating your serotonin receptors. You can call these receptors “nature’s own appetite suppressants,” which is how Psychology Today refers to them. They help shut off your normal appetite and suppress the craving for food. Thus, giving you the feeling of satisfaction even though your stomach may not be full. As a result, you will end up eating less and losing more. 

In addition to this, you want to ask yourself why you’re craving food. Often, you’ll know the right thing to do, so the right question is, “Why can’t you do it?” You want to find out if you’re frustrated, bored, stressed, or anxious about anything. 

Sometimes, the strong urge to indulge is due to certain overwhelming circumstances in your life. Hence, craving can become a signal or symptom of an underlying problem, to which you might be having an emotional response. 

You can also adopt the following two tips to reduce the number of calories you take and slowly reduce your cravings. 

#1 

Eat food with high amounts of fiber. These will help fill your stomach faster. Thus, you’ll not over-indulge and they keep you chewing longer. Also, you feel satisfied for longer. Some of these foods include apples, pineapple, and carrot. Because most of these foods are chewy, they trick your brain into signaling that you’re full quickly. 

#2

Add regular drinking of water to your daily routine. Aside from the fact that water will help keep you full, it is also very beneficial in several ways. According to the Mayoclinic, an adult male needs about 15.3 cups of water each day, the equivalent of 3.7 liters. 

Conclusion

Irrespective of where you find yourself in your weight loss journey, every day offers a new challenge and the opportunity to take one step forward. Depending on which of these three options you’re using, you may reach your goals sooner or later. However, you can walk away from the entire process, a better person if you use the best strategies and tips.