There's a more effective way to curb your cravings than 'enjoying in moderation'

If youve ever found yourself staring at the bottom of an empty bag of chips (or pint of ice cream) after telling yourself youd just have one serving, you know how difficult it can be enjoy your favorite treats in moderation.

Nevertheless, plenty of experts will tell you that's the best way to keep your food cravings in check and prevent overindulging later. However, while that logic is still sound in some respects, a new study shows that eliminating food cravings during weight loss is more nuanced than that.

The Research

This study, published in the journal Obesity, monitored 367 overweight participants (their average baseline weight was around 207 pounds) over the course of two years. All participants stuck to a highly restrictive diet, and researchers monitored their body weights and craving levels at baseline, six months, and 24 months.

What the researchers found is that during energy (read: calorie) restriction for weight loss, cravings for specific foods decreased when the frequency of eating those specific foods decreased—not when people simply ate less of those foods. In other words, if you usually have a strong craving for chocolate and you’re trying to lose weight, you’ll curb your cravings more successfully if you avoid chocolate all together, rather than allowing yourself small amounts of it, says study author John Apolzan, Ph.D., assistant professor at Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

The Reality

Lisa DeFazio, R.D., author of the Women’s Health Big Book of Soups and Smoothies, says these findings make sense, at least when a person is actively trying to shed pounds.

“For cravings and junk food, it’s like a drug, so the more you eat it, the more you crave it,” says DeFazio. “Even introducing it once a week gives you that feeling again, releasing dopamine, and leading to that feeling of pleasure.”

One way to combat this temptation is a cabinet cleanout, says Apolzan—basically, throw it away if you’ve got it lying around in your pantry and then stop buying it altogether. Another way to help reduce the frequency, he says, is to eliminate the stimuli that’s associated with eating it. For example, if you tend to have a bowl of ice cream when you watch TV at night, stop watching TV, and find another activity that won’t prompt that habit.

However, we know that can be easier said than done, so DeFazio recommends another option—substituting in healthier versions of the food. “You can try sorbet instead of ice cream, or instead of regular chips, try baked chips or popcorn,” she says. “Something still in that family of the food’s taste and texture.”

Then, once you you’re in the maintenance phase, you can start to re-introduce that food, but if you do, you should still be mindful of your portion size. No matter what the food is, if you’re going to have it, limit yourself to no more than 150 calories of it. Both experts recommend measuring out your portions, or to make things even easier, buying items packaged in single servings, such as snacks that come in 100-calorie packs. You can also make a rule to only indulge in that craving outside your home. “If you want dessert, have it out at a restaurant, so you don’t have a box of cupcakes sitting at home,” says DeFazio.

The Bottom Line

That advice about “enjoying in moderation” has more layers to it. If you want to reduce cravings during weight loss, you should try to avoid your temptation completely. After you lose the weight, start reintroducing your favorite indulgent eats, but be conscious about the amount you’re having—that's where the "moderation" part comes in.