5 Pro Tips to Control Cravings Naturally While on FMD

You know what surprised me about doing my fourth FMD round? It wasn't the hunger or the low energy—it was my friend Rebecca calling me at 8 PM crying because she'd just eaten half a bag of almonds on day 2 and felt like she'd "ruined everything."

And that's when I realized we all need to talk more openly about the elephant in the FMD room: cravings. Because let's be honest here—following a 5-day protocol where you're eating 800-1100 calories of specific foods isn't exactly a walk in the park, even if the science behind it is incredible.

The Cold Plunge Connection (Yes, Really)

Here's something wild: After listening to Rhonda Patrick's recent podcast about cold exposure and metabolic health, I decided to experiment with cold showers during my last FMD. Not because I'm some biohacking extremist (I still hate being cold), but because the research on cold exposure and appetite regulation is fascinating.

Turns out, a 2-minute cold shower at 7 AM completely shifted my relationship with those mid-morning cravings. The science suggests cold exposure can influence hunger hormones, but honestly? I think it just gave my brain something else to focus on besides fantasizing about sourdough toast.

The Timing Trick That Changed Everything

Remember how ProLon® suggests spreading your meals throughout the day? I used to save everything for dinner because I thought it would help me sleep better. Spoiler alert: it didn't.

What actually worked was this weird timing pattern I stumbled on by accident:

Morning soup at 10 AM (not 7 AM when I wake up)
Olives and crackers at 2 PM
Evening meal at 5:30 PM
L-Drink or herbal tea at 7:30 PM

That 10 AM start? Game-changer. It shortened my eating window naturally and somehow made the whole day feel more manageable.

The Mineral Magic Nobody Talks About

Okay, this one's going to sound basic, but hear me out. On day 3 of my last round, I was ready to eat my couch cushions. Then I remembered something from a longevity research paper about electrolyte imbalances during fasting states.

I added a pinch of pink salt to my water (like, seriously just a pinch—we're not making ocean water here) and within 20 minutes, the intense cravings subsided. Not completely gone, but manageable. Sometimes our bodies are screaming for minerals, not calories.

Movement as Medicine (But Not What You Think)

Everyone says "just go for a walk when you're hungry!" and I used to want to throw things at them. But here's what actually works: gentle yoga or stretching right when cravings hit hardest (usually 3-4 PM for me).

Not power yoga. Not even "real" yoga. Just 5 minutes of moving my body in ways that feel good. Child's pose, cat-cow, maybe a gentle twist. It's like hitting a reset button on your nervous system.

The Mental Shift That Matters Most

This might be the most important tip: I stopped fighting the cravings and started getting curious about them instead. "Oh hello, 4 PM chocolate craving, right on schedule!" sounds ridiculous, but acknowledging them without judgment somehow takes away their power.

During my last FMD, I even kept a "craving journal" (don't judge). Turns out, most of my intense cravings lasted less than 10 minutes when I actually timed them. Knowing that made them so much easier to ride out.

The Reality Check

Look, I'm not going to pretend these tips make FMD feel like a spa vacation. There are still moments where you'll question your life choices. Last round, I definitely googled "can I add butter to FMD soup" at 11 PM on day 3 (the answer is no, obviously).

But here's what I've learned after multiple rounds: cravings during FMD aren't a sign of weakness or failure. They're just your body doing what bodies do when food is restricted. The goal isn't to eliminate them completely—it's to work with them in ways that support your larger health goals.

I'm curious: What's your biggest craving challenge during FMD or any fasting protocol? Is it the afternoon slump? The evening munchies? That weird 2 AM kitchen wandering? Drop a comment below—I'd love to hear what works (or spectacularly doesn't work) for you.

Because if Rebecca taught me anything with her almond incident, it's that we're all figuring this out together, one craving at a time.

Quick disclaimer: I'm just a regular person sharing what's worked for me during my FMD experiences. Always check with your healthcare provider before starting any fasting protocol, especially if you have any medical conditions. And remember—ProLon® is a trademark of L-Nutra, and while I DIY my approach, their research is what got me interested in FMD in the first place.