Cravings happen for a variety of reasons. Usually your body is used to eating a particular food and will ask you for it if you start avoiding it. Cravings are especially strong at the beginning of the Atkins program, since you're asked to cut out all carbs and your body will crave them as a source of energy. While cravings are hard to avoid completely, there are a number of things you can do to reduce their intensity and frequency, and to help you deal with them when they happen.
Step 1
Figure out what triggers the cravings so you can avoid those situations. If you tend to crave carbs when you're stressed or feeling low, make a list of activities or things you can do when those feelings strike. A good solution would be to get out of the house and go for a walk or a bike ride, go watch a movie or get a manicure. You can also try reading a good book, taking a bubble bath or calling a friend for a chat.
Step 2
Eat frequently. Cravings are sometimes triggered when your blood sugar goes down, which happens if you spend more than three or four hours without any food. Keep healthy snacks available, such as hard boiled eggs, nuts, low-fat cheese or raw veggies such as baby carrots, so you can munch on them when cravings strike.
Step 3
Shop at your local health food store or vitamin shop for low-carb products to help you satisfy your sweet tooth. Atkins sells energy and protein bars, cookies, pasta and bread mixes that are low-carb. While these are not meant to be eaten continuously (they do contain a small amount of carbs), they can help you when cravings happen.
Step 4
Sleep more. Lack of sleep can lead to a craving for carbohydrates, since carbs provide you with more energy, essential if you're tired. This can be especially noticeable when you're on the Atkins diet, since the program restricts carbs severely.
Step 5
Clear your kitchen of anything that can cause ups and downs of blood sugar. Because Atkins limits carbs to the minimum, your body is more likely to react to other substances, such as alcohol and coffee. Stimulant substances cause you to crash (after a short period of energy). When your energy goes down, your cravings will increase. The Atkins program recommends eliminating all caffeinated beverages during the Induction Phase (the first two weeks).
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