Anything you can do to distract yourself from smells, images, activities, or emotions you associate with your craved foods will help you withstand them. To sever that conditioned response, try the Five D’s technique. Use it anytime a craving hits.
1. Delay your urge to cave in to the craving. Drink a tall glass of water. That minute or two can help you reach the next D.
2. Determine what’s going on. Ask yourself, “Why do I want this chocolate chip cookie or this slice of pizza? Am I physically hungry? What else might I really want or need?”
3. Distract yourself for 10 minutes. Wait it out. Some experts call this urge-surfing—riding the tumultuous waves of a craving until they subside. If you don’t think you can wait the full 10 minutes, take a walk.
4. Distance yourself, physically, from the temptation. Walk out of the house, if you have to. Put some space between you and the food.
5. Decide how you will handle the craving: Will you give in or walk away? Sometimes, it’s okay to give in. If you can consciously decide that yes, you really do want it, allow yourself one serving—and enjoy it thoroughly.
Anything you can do to distract yourself from smells, images,
activities, or emotions you associate with your craved foods will
help you withstand them. To sever that conditioned response, try
the Five D’s technique. Use it anytime a...
More
Keri Gans answered:Anything you can do to distract yourself from smells, images, activities, or emotions you associate with your craved foods will help you withstand them. To sever that conditioned response, try the Five D’s technique. Use it anytime a craving hits.
Anything you can do to distract yourself from smells, images, activities, or emotions you associate with your craved foods will help you withstand them. To sever that conditioned response, try the Five D’s technique. Use it anytime a... More
