One of the hardest things to deal with when starting a gluten free diet is the seemingly endless cravings.
When you cut certain things out of the diet, it causes an instant shock to the system. Gluten based foods are largely known to provide the body with energy. So, if you cut them out completely, it can not only leave you feeling tired, but also lead to serious carb cravings.
You don’t have to put up with these unbearable cravings however. Here you’ll discover 5 ways to go gluten free without craving carbs.
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Eat little and often
Many nutritionists recommend this approach for any type of diet. When you leave large gaps between meals, it does increase the likelihood you’ll experience strong cravings.
By bridging the gaps with gluten free snacks, it’s going to help maintain your energy levels and satisfy your hunger. Some experts even recommend eating seven small meals a day, rather than three large ones.
So, experiment with smaller, more frequent meals to see if this has any effect on your cravings.
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Eat complex gluten-free carbs
Just because you’re going gluten free, it doesn’t mean you need to cut out carbs entirely.
Contrary to popular belief, some types of carbs are actually good for the body. Known commonly as complex-carbohydrates, they are a lot easier for the body to digest and they provide numerous health benefits.
You can find gluten-free whole-grain foods, and fresh vegetables and fruits also contain healthier carbs. So, the next time your carb craving hits, satisfy it with a healthy complex-carb snack.
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Increase your protein intake
Protein is one of the best food groups to focus on when you’re on a strict diet. Lean meats are packed full of protein and contain zero gluten. The only exception to this is meats which are pre-prepared in sauces or breadcrumbs. Therefore, stick to fresh, clean lean meats to ensure they’re gluten-free.
Protein can also provide energy, something that’s lacking when you cut out carbs from the diet.
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Increase your healthy fat consumption
Have you ever noticed if you don’t get a good night’s sleep, your body craves junk food? There’s actually a primitive reason behind this and it’s all to do with energy. Fast, fatty and sugary foods provide a quick energy boost. However, the fats contained in junk food definitely aren’t good for the body!
Just like carbohydrates, fats have a somewhat negative reputation. However, there are good fats and bad ones, and increasing your intake of the good fats will help you to fight off those carb cravings and feel more alert throughout the day.
Oily fish such as salmon, are a fantastic source of healthy fats, as are nuts and seeds.
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Avoid processed foods
Gluten free diets have a healthy image, but just like any diet, they can be unhealthy too. It’s still possible to buy processed gluten-free food and this can contribute to those nasty carb cravings.
Before purchasing any gluten-free food, it’s important to look at the label to see what kind of ingredients are added. If you do eat processed foods, you’re not going to be getting much nutrition and you’ll still end up feeling tired and desperate for carbohydrates.
The 5 ways highlighted above are just some of the simple changes you can make to your diet to control the cravings. The key to any successful diet, is to ensure it isn’t too difficult to follow.
Rather than buying processed, convenient gluten-free foods, it’s also a good idea to look for healthy recipes you can create from scratch. There’s plenty of delicious gluten-free dishes you can try out.
Overall, if you have been experiencing strong carb cravings you’re definitely not alone! Gluten-free diets may be healthier, but they can take a while to get used to. The above are just 5 ways to go gluten free without craving carbs.
