Whether you’re new to fat loss dieting or not, you know by now that there are certain times when avoiding certain foods seems next to impossible. Whether it’s a plate of brownies walking by you, the server who just seems to keep trying to press dessert after the meal, or the vending machine that is sitting outside your office screaming your name, temptation is everywhere.
And when dieting, the forces of temptation become magnified tenfold.
So, what are you to do about this situation?
Control your blood sugar levels, that’s what.
The Blood Sugar Level-Temptation Connection
Next time you find yourself faced with temptation, ask yourself the following questions.
1. When was the last time I ate? (if it was more than three hours ago, give yourself a point).
2. On a scale from one to ten, how hungry am I? (if you’re at a seven or higher, that’s another point added to your total).
3. Are you on a low-carb diet? (if the answer is yes, you’re at three points total now).
4. How much fat did I have in my last meal? (if your plate contained fewer than three grams of fat, again, you get another point).
5. What is the identified temptation food mostly made of? (money say’s it’s carbs. If so, rake in another point).
What’s the connection between all of these?
If you said blood sugar levels, you’re entirely correct.
Temptations are going to be much more predominant when your blood sugar levels are dropping because most temptations are foods that are going to offer a surging release of energy and are filled with sugar.
When was the last time you had a serious craving for an egg white omelet or a bowl of cottage cheese?
No, you crave cake, you crave ice cream, you crave cheesecake, you crave pasta – all foods that are filled with carbs and will rescue low blood sugar levels in a hurry.
In fact, if you really want to start taking note of things, take notice of the fact that when your blood sugar levels aren’t so low, you hardly even notice those temptations.
That plate of brownies may not even get acknowledged when a co-worker passes by with them because your consumed by work, not focused on the growing noises your stomach seems to be making.
Therefore, if you want to gain diet will-power, gain control over your blood sugar levels.
Snack regularly and snack wise. Avoid processed carbs that will cause a sudden blood sugar drop. And, if you are using a low-carb diet, pay particular attention to consuming enough fat in your diet so you do have the energy necessary to make it through the day.
When that energy isn’t there, that’s when you’re going to seek it out – in places you shouldn’t.
So, next time you wonder whether you really have enough will-power, you might want to re-evaluate the situation.
It likely is not a factor of you not having enough will-power, but rather, poor dietary choices leading up to the event that are causing this lack of will-power to present itself.
Diet smart and you won’t suffer the intense cravings that plague so many out there.
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