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No diet can be successful if you give in to your craving. Nutrition and lifestyle expert Dr. Meera Sharma says it is not a matter of willpower with the issue of cravings and lifestyle habits.

The six steps that she recommends are the following:

• Protein-Rich Breakfast – A high-protein breakfast within the week helps to regulate blood glucose in the first 4-5 hours and lessens cravings after 4-5 hours (25-30 g protein in the morning – for example, eggs, Greek yogurt, or paneer).
• Plan to Drink Wisely – Over a third of people confuse thirst with hunger. Fill a glass of water before eating at each meal and have a glass of (garden) tea in between meals, such as herbal cinnamon or ginger tea.
• Feed well at every feed—don't go hungry at all. Include protein, fiber, and healthy fats in each meal to help balance ghrelin (hunger hormone).
• Try 10-Minute Mindfulness—If a big craving gets triggered, stop and take a deep breath or short walk. This neutralizes the emotions that arise and substantially diminishes intensity.
• Have Quality Sleep—bad sleep leads to greater levels of ghrelin and cravings for sweets. Get 7-8 hours of steady sleep in order to naturally regulate your hunger hormones.
• Wait 20 minutes and distract yourself (the 20-Minute Rule)—if the urge to eat still remains, try doing something different after 20 minutes. For most of the cravings that arise, they pass on their own as the body's blood sugar levels normalize.

The experts said that by following these steps, one can actually cut down the cravings by up to 70% from emotional and hormonal levels. Consistent, tiny changes yield an extended time of freedom from the constant hunger cues and assist with maintainable weight management.