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Caffeine
Caffeinated drinks are a staple for many of us. From that first sip of coffee in the morning to that cup of tea with dinner, it seems many of us are inundating our bodies with caffeine.
How to overcome caffeine cravings:
- Get enough rest. Make time to relax and get enough sleep.
- Change your wake up time and morning routine in small ways. Take a walk first thing in the morning. Drink room temperature or warm water with a squeeze of lemon. Do simple stretching to wake each part of your body.
- Use positive affirmations to begin your day.
- Switch to decaffeinated alternatives like flavored water or herbal tea.
- When the craving for caffeine hits you, do something different or drink something different. If the craving comes first thing in the morning, grab a bottle of water and go for a run or a brisk walk instead.
- Don’t drink caffeine simply because everyone else is. Make a conscious effort to make a better choice. Hint…carry decaf tea or herbal tea bags with you.
- Drink sparkling water if you crave soda. Add a piece of lemon or a tablespoon of fruit juice.
- Boost your B vitamin intake. B vitamins are what your body uses to metabolize the food you eat; they are essential for the production of energy. Upping your B vitamin levels can help you do away with caffeine if you crave it for the energy boost. Try eating more fish, lean meats, nuts, seeds, eggs, and whole grains like black rice or quinoa.
Alternatives to caffeine:
- Water, sparkling water, flavored water
- Decaffeinated versions of coffee and tea
- Herbal teas such as ginseng, chamomile, or thyme tea
- Teeccino caffeine-free herbal coffee
- Yerbe Mate
- Green tea
- Licorice tea
- Wheatgrass juice
- Reishi Mushroom tea
- Rooibos tea
Salt
It’s no secret that salt can boost food’s flavor and is important to the body in small amounts. However, you may be getting a lot more salt in your diet than you realize.
Overcoming salt craving:
- Stay away from processed foods. Almost all processed foods contain some form of sodium. A better alternative is to make your own snacks and meals. Baked sweet potato chips with a sprinkle of parmesan are a tasty alternative to processed potato chips.
- Stay away from fast food whenever possible.
- Use herbs as an alternative to salt when cooking.
- Drink plenty of water. Stay hydrated.
- Reduce stress to keep your emotional salt craving under control.
- Pay attention to how you’re feeling when your salt craving hits. Are you bored, anxious, angry, or lonely?
- Get a nutrition checkup. Find out what minerals and nutrients you may be missing in your diet. Once you start replacing them with healthy versions your salt cravings should lessen.
Alternatives to salt:
- Pistachios and other unsalted nuts
- Herbs like cilantro, parsley, dill, basil, and oregano
- Sunflower seeds and other seeds
- Kale chips
- Tamari-seasoned rice crackers
- Pickles
- Olives
