5 Sneaky Ways to Kill Cravings (Without Losing Your Mind)
If you’re trying to get leaner without losing your mind, cravings are the boss level — and this post (plus our book) will help you fight smarter. We’ve all been there: it’s 3pm and the vending machine is calling, or it’s 10pm and your brain whispers “just one cookie…”. Cravings can feel overwhelming, but you’re not helpless! The key is having a few sneaky tricks up your sleeve to deal with them without going crazy. Here are five clever craving-busting tips to help you stay on track (and sane). Let’s dive in!
1. Drink Water First (Your H2O Craving Killer)
Before you raid the pantry, chug a big glass of water. Seriously, try this first whenever a craving hits. Why? Sometimes your body is just thirsty. Mild dehydration can masquerade as hunger, making you think you need a snack when what you really need is hydration. Filling your stomach with water sends your brain a quick “we’re not starving” signal. Often that single move takes the edge off a craving almost immediately.
Why it works: Cravings often feel worst when your stomach is empty. By downing some water, you fill up without calories and give your body a moment to reconsider the urgency of that donut. You’d be surprised how often a craving fades after a big glass or two. (Pro tip: add a squeeze of lemon or a pinch of salt to make it more satisfying.) And hey, even if you’re still craving something after, at least you’ll be nicely hydrated – it’s a win-win!
2. Brush Your Teeth (Minty Fresh Shut-Down)
This one’s delightfully simple: brush your teeth or use a strong minty mouthwash when cravings strike. It sounds odd, but it’s a game changer. Ever try drinking orange juice after brushing? Yuck. That minty fresh coating makes most foods taste downright awful Bonus: Brushing your teeth is like a mental cue that the kitchen is closed. Once you’ve got that clean mouth feeling, your brain goes, “Hmm, maybe we’re done eating for now.”
Why it works: It’s part psychological, part sensory. The act of brushing signals “end of meal”, helping shut down the desire to keep snacking. And the peppermint flavour basically tells your taste buds “not now, buddy.” You likely won’t want to ruin that clean-mouth vibe with junk food. So next time a late-night sugar craving hits, hit the toothbrush instead and enjoy the fresh-mouth victory.
3. Take a Walk (Cravings Hate Fresh Air)
Instead of wrestling with your willpower on the couch, get up and walk it off. A 10-15 minute brisk walk can do wonders to kill a craving. It’s not just about removing yourself from the kitchen (though that helps); even a short burst of activity can actually reduce appetite and curb cravings. In fact, studies have shown that a quick walk significantly reduces chocolate cravings in regular chocolate lovers.
Why it works: You’re basically distracting your brain and changing your scenery. Cravings tend to be fleeting – they swell up and then pass like a wave. By the time you’ve walked around the block, you’ve given that wave a chance to recede. Exercise also releases endorphins which can cut stress (a common craving trigger). Plus, if you break a little sweat, you might start thinking “I’ve already done something healthy, might as well keep it up!” By the time you return, you often find that omg need chocolate now feeling has mellowed or vanished. Sneaky, huh?
4. Sip Black Coffee or Tea (Appetite Suppressor in a Mug)
When in doubt, make yourself a cup of coffee or tea (unsweetened or lightly sweetened). A warm drink gives you the comforting “treat” sensation with almost zero calories – and caffeine is known to blunt appetite for a while. Sipping on a hot black coffee, green tea, or herbal tea can keep your mouth busy and your stomach content. It’s especially great for those afternoon snack attacks. Sometimes just the ritual of making a cup is enough to distract you until the craving passes.
Why it works: Caffeine can make you feel less hungry and even boost your metabolism a bit. That means while you’re enjoying a cosy mug, you’re actively shutting down hunger signals. The warmth of the drink also physically fills your stomach and provides a soothing effect, kind of like giving your body a hug instead of a cookie. If you need a little sweetness, using a zero-calorie sweetener is totally fine (it’s not cheating, it’s smart strategy). Just be sure to keep it black or very low-cal – a mocha loaded with sugar will defeat the purpose. But a plain coffee or tea? That’s your craving-killing elixir.
5. Chew Gum (Fake Out Your Appetite)
This trick is as sneaky as it gets: pop a piece of sugar-free gum and chew away. Craving something sweet? Try a mint or fruit-flavoured gum. Craving something more decadent? Believe it or not, there are dessert-flavoured gums (think cinnamon roll or mint chocolate). Chewing gum gives your mouth the illusion that you’re eating, which can satisfy the urge to bite and chew on something. Research even shows that chewing gum can significantly reduce hunger and cravings for snacks– people have used it to eat less throughout the day.
Why it works: Part of a craving is oral fixation – that need to taste and chew. Gum covers that base with virtually no calories. It also stimulates saliva and digestion processes just a bit, which can fool your brain into chill mode (“food is coming, no need to panic”). And let’s be real, it’s hard to inhale a bag of chips when you’ve got a wad of peppermint gum in your mouth. So gum basically says “I’m busy here!” to any tempting foods. Keep a pack handy, and the next time you want to devour something naughty, start chewing gum instead and see how quickly the urge fades.
Cravings might be the boss level, but now you’ve got some cheat codes. The five tricks above are simple, but surprisingly effective when that urge to snack strikes. The best part? They help you get through the moment without blowing your progress or feeling miserable.
These tips are just the start, of course. If you want the full playbook on beating cravings and getting lean without losing your sanity, it’s all inside our book. Get it by clicking here and get $10 off: Calorie This Calorie That E-Book.