How to handle the cravings?

Many of the new diets restrict (or completely forbid) consumption of whole groups of foods. More often than not, those "illegal" items are exactly those that used to be our favourites, so it should not be surprising if we sometimes commit the one or another nutritional crime. If it is chocolate that you cannot live without, then it is still better to break this one law, than to give up on rules altogether. Namely, total deprivation of the past favourite foods is a common reason for giving up on dietary goals. Temptations are a part of our lives, and usually it is the illegal things that seem most desirable. In case of foods, very few of them should be given a lifelong sentence. Instead, just give them house arrest at night, and let them out when the sun is shining and you are ready to work off your guilt. And if you are going to commit a food crime, choose the one that you can get away with. For example, one jumbo scone has the same number of calories (700) as a bowl of oatmeal with peaches, plus a bowl of cornflakes with banana, plus an English muffin with jam, plus two pieces of toast with marmalade, plus two dishes of fruit. In other words, if there are two illegal food items you desire, then take the less illegal one. Or two of them, as long as their combination is still less illegal than the alternative. Basically, it is always advisable to try to avoid the nutritional electric chair. Try to find new favourite foods. And if the old ones are still irresistible, then throw in some exercise and you will still be able to have an occasional piece of chocolate.