Satisfy a Craving Without Gaining Weight

Sometimes, that cinnamon-bun smell at the mall has a strange power. Or that ice cream in the freezer -- the one you promised yourself you'd eat just a half cup of per day -- is saying things like, "C'mon, another spoonful won't hurt."

One of the key ways to stop cravings is to maintain an even blood sugar level (and we don't mean too high all the time). Drops in blood sugar can cause cravings and mindless dives, headfirst, into a gallon of caramel-infused nougat. Another way to sidestep a craving is to go for a walk. One study found that people had a major drop in chocolate cravings just 15 minutes after putting one foot in front of the other.

But we know there are times you've just got to have something. Here's how to feed some classic cravings without damaging your waist and your health (pregnant women, take note! This could save you many pounds of baby weight):

Instead of: Fries.
Eat: Roasted sweet potato bits. Simply cube sweet potatoes, toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and other seasonings, and bake until tender (about 20–30 minutes).

Instead of: Ice cream.
Eat: A frozen banana. Try mashing before freezing; it's creamy and delicious.

Instead of: Chocolate chip cookies.
Eat: Half an ounce of high-quality dark chocolate (there's no substitute for a chocolate craving, but you'll eat less if you eat the best chocolate).

Instead of: M&M's.
Eat: Edamame, which give you a similar texture and satisfy the desire to pop one after another.