As you know, a craving is a powerful thing. It can override our long term / rational brain and make us not care about anything but the food we *think* we want (more on this soon).
It can overwhelm us and make us feel powerless. But remember, when a craving strikes, we have more power than we think.
Here are some options:
1.) You can give in by letting your irrational brain lead the way. The instant gratification you'll enjoy will feel good in the moment, but then not so great later on.
The way I view it: There's a discomfort either way. The discomfort of choosing no up front vs the discomfort of indulging now. When we choose no up front, we might encounter some discomfort in the short term. However, afterward, we always feel energized and empowered for hours afterward. Whereas when we indulge now, we skip the discomfort in the short term but then wind up feeling uncomfortable for hours afterward.
2.) You can lean into the discomfort and beat the craving by successfully riding it out and/or combating it in one of these nine ways, which I write about on our blog.
3.) You can put a pin in it for now, add it to your calendar for say, the weekend, and make it a planned indulgence. Pizza is always a fun meal to have on the horizon. Plus, I love planning my indulgences because it allows me to anticipate it. Having things to look forward to is a key to happiness.
4.) Lastly, you can make a quick pivot and satisfy that cheesy longing with a healthified pizza-flavored dish.
If option 4 is how you'd like to proceed, we've gathered five great #MBTapproved recipes which are not only super easy, they're super cheesy, and will definitely help scratch that pizza itch – guilt-free.
Enjoy!
-Adam
Photo by The Picky Eater
Cheesy Pepperoni Dip from Sally's Baking Addiction
Low-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt keep this dip on the lighter side. Skip the chips and opt for cut-up veggies as your dippers to cut carbs and calories even more.
Open-Faced Pizza Omelet from Glue Sticks & Gum Drops
Maybe your pizza craving hits first thing in the morning or you're craving brinner (breakfast for dinner) – either way, these low-carb omelets are an eggscelent way to get your pizza on.
Cauliflower Pizza Bake from Food52
This low-carb casserole delivers classic pizza flavor + meaty satisfaction without a starchy crust to weigh you down. Bonus points for subbing in Italian turkey or chicken sausage.
Pizza Chicken by from Rachel Cooks
Five ingredients, one pot, ready in under an hour – this crowd-pleaser is almost as easy as ordering a pizza from the corner pie shop.
Whole Wheat Pita Pizzas from The Picky Eater
For those who won't be denied their beloved chewy crust, these personal pita pies are uber healthy and a pretty dang good pizza substitute.