Stop Fighting Cravings! Mindful Eating.

Today we’re focusing on a key part of mindful eating that often gets overlooked: listening to your cravings.

Many of us have been conditioned to think cravings are something to resist or ignore, especially when it comes to certain foods. But what if I told you that your cravings are actually your body’s way of communicating important information?

By learning to tune into these cravings, you can transform the way you eat and feel.

Let’s dive into why listening to your cravings is one of the most important aspects of mindful eating—and how it can even support your weight loss goals.

What Are Cravings Trying to Tell You?

Cravings aren’t the enemy. In fact, they can be incredibly insightful when it comes to your body’s needs.

Your body sends cravings as signals to guide you toward the nutrients, energy, or comfort it’s seeking. But often, we either suppress these cravings or overindulge without really understanding why they’re there in the first place.

Here’s 4 ways on how you can start listening to your cravings mindfully:

1. Pause and Identify the Craving

• Before reaching for that snack, take a moment to pause and ask yourself: “What am I really craving?” Is it something salty? Sweet? Crunchy? Creamy? Identifying the specific texture or flavor your body is asking for can help you better understand its needs.

2. Explore the Root of the Craving

• Once you’ve identified the craving, dig deeper: Is this a physical craving (your body needs energy or nutrients), or is it an emotional craving (seeking comfort, relief from stress, or a sense of reward)? By acknowledging the root cause, you can decide how best to respond.

3. Honor the Craving

• Instead of trying to suppress or ignore the craving, honor it. If your body is asking for something sweet, enjoy a small portion of a dessert you love. If you’re craving something salty, try a mindful portion of nuts or crackers. Giving your body what it wants—mindfully—reduces the likelihood of overindulgence later.

4. Check In with Your Body

• After you’ve satisfied your craving, pause and check in. How do you feel? Did the craving hit the spot? This practice helps you better understand how your body responds to different foods and cravings over time.

Why Listening to Cravings Supports Weight Loss

Many people fear that listening to cravings will lead to overeating or weight gain, but the opposite is often true. When you honor your cravings in a mindful way, you’re less likely to feel deprived—and deprivation is what usually triggers overeating later on.

By listening to your cravings:

• You avoid binge eating: Ignoring cravings often leads to frustration and bingeing later on.

• You satisfy your body’s true needs: When you give your body what it’s asking for, you’re more likely to feel satisfied with smaller portions.

• You reduce emotional eating: Understanding the emotional root of your cravings helps you find healthier ways to cope, rather than using food to soothe feelings.

In fact, this is one of the ways I personally lost 50 pounds—by learning to honor my cravings instead of fighting them.

Instead of turning to restrictive diets that made me feel deprived, I started listening to what my body truly needed, and the weight loss happened naturally as a result.

My cravings stopped being a battle, and food became something that nourished me physically and emotionally.

Craving Sweet? Salty? Let’s Decode Them!

Here are a few common cravings and what they might be telling you:

• Sweet cravings: Your body may be low on energy or seeking comfort. Try mindful portions of naturally sweet foods like fruits or a small treat.

• Salty cravings: This could be a sign that your body needs more minerals like sodium or potassium. Nuts or seeds could satisfy this craving healthily.

• Crunchy cravings: Crunchy foods are often linked to stress relief. Try veggie sticks, popcorn, or nuts to satisfy that need for texture.

• Creamy cravings: This may indicate a desire for comfort and warmth. Mindful portions of yogurt, avocado, or even a warm soup can soothe this craving.

Final Thought

Cravings are part of being human, and they’re not something to be feared. When you learn to listen to and honor your cravings, you’ll build a healthier, more balanced relationship with food—and that leads to feeling better overall.

Thank you for reading! I hope this edition helps you rethink your relationship with cravings and use them as a tool for nourishment, not deprivation.

Stay Mindful,
David Starikov

P.S. I thought I’d give you a little treat because of how grateful I am that you read this newsletter. I am grateful for you and here is a book on 50 Mindful Recipes for you. Please enjoy and have a great Sunday!