The foods you crave are likely to be high in sugar, fats and carbohydrates -- such as pizza, chocolate, cake, chips and ice cream. Cravings can derail your efforts at weight control and may lead to binge eating, but you can learn how to manage them and stay on course with these tips.

• Enjoy a small portion. Don't give up these foods. In your overall healthy diet, include a small portion of the less healthy foods you crave. Better to enjoy a square of chocolate than to avoid it altogether.
• Eat something healthy first. It's often easier to eat less of the food you're craving if you're not ravenously hungry.
• Keep the food you crave out of the house. Buy the item only when you plan to eat it, or order it at a restaurant.
• Use positive self-talk. When you experience a craving, remember what you plan to achieve by controlling your weight, and talk yourself up -- "I can do it!"
• Distract yourself. Food cravings usually pass quickly if you focus on something else. Try taking a walk or talking to a friend.
• Chew gum. Chewing sugarless gum reduces hunger and cravings for sweet and salty snacks.
• Get enough sleep. This helps lower your levels of the hormone ghrelin, which stimulates appetite. Lack of sleep can lead to food cravings and overeating.
• Substitute a healthier option. Satisfy your craving for something smooth and creamy with something low fat or fat-free, such as yogurt without added sugar. Eat a piece of fruit as a healthy sweet snack.

Experiment to see which strategies work best for you so that you can control your cravings -- not the other way around.

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