An Ode to Junk Food Cravings (and How to Beat Them)

“Hella pizza late at night.
I keep saying just one more slice.
And I feel so HANGRY
Breakfast, dinner and lunch.
And the ice cream truck is the only reason I run anymore.”

Can you relate?

There are the lyrics from yet another parody of Adele’s “Hello.”  I thought “Hello From the Mother Side” – an ode to stressed out moms everywhere – was pretty awesome.  But this one topped the charts for me.  Dubbed Hella Cravings by its creators, Dustin and Genevieve Ahkuoi, it’s spot on when it comes to how many of us feel about eating healthy and exercising.

It’s no secret that one of the biggest obstacles to eating healthy is junk food cravings.  Whether it’s sweet, salty, or spicy that you crave, we all get them.  And while there is no one-size fits all solution to overcoming cravings, understanding why cravings occur and what triggers them for you is the first step toward overcoming them.

Take this quiz to identify the triggers that bring on your cravings and reveal strategies that will help you beat them once and for all!


POP QUIZ: I am most likely to give in to my cravings when…

A. I am dieting or trying to lose weight.
B. I am at a party, out at a restaurant, or in other social situations.
C. I feel stressed, anxious, guilty, upset, lonely or depressed.
D. I am watching television or late at night.
E. All of the above!  My cravings are out of control!


If you answered A…


If you answered B…


If you answered C…


If you answered D…


If you answered E…


The Bottom Line:   If we want to be physically fit, we have to train our bodies, exercising our muscles on a regular basis so they become stronger.  If we want to implement healthier eating habits, we must train our minds to think about food differently and rely on the power of Holy Spirit to exercise self-control.  When we make positive choices and seek God in the midst of unhealthy temptations, we become mentally and spiritually fit.

You might think of willpower as a muscle – the more we use it, the stronger it gets.  However, we do not have an endless supply.  This is why, to create sustainable change, we need God

By using one or more of the strategies outlined above, committing your intentions to the Lord, and engaging in community with others who will support you on your journey, you can learn to replace your cravings with healthier habits instead of refusing them or focusing on them.  If you’d like help with this, I would love for you to join my private Fueled Fit Focused Facebook Community or check out my Nutrition Coaching page.  As with any new habit you are trying to implement, prayer and accountability are powerful tools to help you exercise self-control, persevere, and reach your health and wellness goals.


** BONUS CONTENT!!!  If you are a subscriber, you can download 10 Tips for Mindful Eating52 Ways to Find Peace Without Food and a FREE 3-Day Sugar Free Meal Plan from my Subscribers Page.  If you are not already a subscriber, click here to subscribe and gain access to these and dozens of other valuable resources to help you curb cravings, have more energy, and cultivate a healthy, Christ-centered life.


** CALL TO ACTION: What was your answer to today’s pop quiz?  Which strategy resonated most with you?  Share a healthy habit you will start using to replace unhealthy food cravings.


** If you found this post helpful, please subscribe to my blog to receive notifications of new posts by email and gain access to my Freebie’s Library with free resources for a healthy, God-focused life. 

2 thoughts on “An Ode to Junk Food Cravings (and How to Beat Them)

  1. – I give into cravings in social situations. In the case situations I can tell people that I’m diabetic and at some point they will just come to know that I will not eat unhealthy items and I won’t feel pressured. Because for so many years I have eaten sweets, etc. this is not how my social situations are right now. I’m working to change that. One additional change I need to make is to always eat before being in a social situation.

  2. I didn’t have cravings at all…until I was put on steroids after a major surgery. Those created a serious case of sugar cravings, and not having developed any willpower (not needing any for my previous 40+ years) I gave in to them. Voila…25 extra pounds in two weeks! I tried to work off those pounds, but the balance problems also occasioned by that surgery landed me on the floor as soon as I did anything remotely challenging. I’m trying to get myself stronger with standing curls etc. but am frustrated at every turn. Help, please!

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