I've been having cravings after every meal, usually for sweets. What should I do to stop this? This is ruining my diet. Please Help. Thank You.

Dear Reader,

First of all, Alice would like you to consider what you are eating for your meals. Alice recommends a balanced variety of whole foods that can provide the sweet taste you crave, with enough calories to prevent you from feeling hungry. Fresh fruits (i.e., oranges, peaches, and plums) provide a natural sweetness without all the extra calories that could ruin your diet. Also, you can add a little sugar to your vegetables when cooking them (an old Southern cooking trick). Finally, a sweet treat, on occasion, may not be so bad for your diet, if it is low in fat.

Cravings could be your body's way of calling out for the calories and/or nutrients it needs. If you satisfy your cravings, instead of avoiding them, you may discover that you will feel better. However, be careful of the craving where you end up consuming several hundred calories via low calorie foods when trying to avoid the one hundred calorie chocolate treat.

It's a pleasure to enjoy eating. If you are in good health, an occasional sweet treat is okay. A healthy, active body can handle it with no problem. The more active you are, the more you can afford to consume. Just remember to be active. Exercise regularly so you don't have to give up the occasional sweets.

Alice

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