Eight weeks ago I gave birth to my first child, and (despite breast-feeding!) I-haven’t lost a single pound. I’ve always watched my weight, but my cravings for ice cream and candy were so bad during pregnancy that I packed on 60 pounds! I thought they’d go away when my hormones returned to normal, but no such luck-I’m still eating enough sweets for two. What can I do to overcome these cravings?
You can soothe your sweet tooth by drinking 64 oz. cran-water daily. (Mix 8oz. pure cranberry juice, like R.W. Knudsen Family Just Cranberry, with 56 oz. water.) The antioxidant arbutin in cranberries has been proven to regulate insulin (the hormone that controls blood sugar) to curb the sugar crashes that trigger cravings. Another effective crave–cutting tip: Aim for at least 1,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids. Consuming this amount helped women in one Finnish study reduce sweet cravings by up to 60 percent. (And as a breast-feeding bonus, essential fatty acids have been shown to benefit infant brain development through breast milk.) To get the study-backed dose, enjoy foods like omega-3-enriched eggs (such as Eggland’s Best) and salmon, or try adding 2 Tbs. ground flaxseed or flaxseed oil to salads and smoothies daily.
One Response
I have these same terrible cravings. I didn’t give birth but I am so heavy I look like I am pregnant. These are very helpful suggestions. Thank you.