Anyone that’s tried going on a diet knows how difficult it actually is. There are lifestyle changes that need to be made such as finding time to exercise and learning to try new and different foods. Those are the easy parts of it. After all of that, there is still the problem of dealing with food cravings.

Is there anything worse than seeing everyone else enjoy that an ice cream sundae covered in sprinkles and fudge and knowing that you can’t have any? Not even a little? It is often cited as the most difficult part of diet and more often than the reason most diets fail according to a recent health survey. I know it has been for me. Sorry, but I have a thing for potato ships.

For most of us, giving up our favorite foods is not only unreasonable, but it’s also impossible and beyond our ability. Those food cravings are not a sign of weakness on your part. You’re just like everyone else when it comes to food cravings. You just haven’t learned the tricks on how to cope with these cravings. Here are some tricks to help you overcome these cravings according to leading health experts in the nutrition field.

• Eat and stay away from diets – Seriously, I’m not crazy. The best way to manage your cravings for food and lose weight is to not diet. This is because there are far too many people who associate diet with deprivation and refuse to eat. By avoiding food altogether and not eating, you'll just end up eating more of it in the end by bingeing. Instead, find some healthier ways of eating and exercise more often instead of a strict no food diet. You’ll find that you will suffer from fewer cravings.

• Gimmie a little taste, please – There is a big piece of banana bread staring you right in the face, but instead you’re stuck with half a banana. It isn’t the same nor will it help your cravings. When we truly crave something, nothing but that craving will suffice. Treat yourself to a small piece of the food you’re dying inside for. Remember, you’re only allowed a small piece. By quenching a craving with a small portion, you’ll avoid crashing and over-eating that piece of cake at a moment of weakness.

• Distract yourself- If you know what situations trigger your cravings, avoid them if possible. If part of your morning routine has always been a doughnut to go along with your morning coffee, then try drinking something else for that quick boost instead of your coffee. You can also wake up a little earlier and go for an invigorating morning run. You’ll distract yourself enough from eating that horrible doughnut and get a little bit of added exercise in your daily schedule. When you get the impulse to eat something you shouldn’t, do something completely non-food related.

• Don’t be an emotional eater – For a great deal of people, eating is tied to emotions. Some will pig out on pizza when stressed out; while others will finish off a gallon of ice cream after a nasty breakup. You’ll need to asses your emotional eating tendencies, and be prepared to deal with any cravings associated with them. Don't be afraid and ask for help. Your diet can wait, but your emotional well-being shouldn’t. All the food in the world won't help any emotional issues you may be facing.

• Chill out for a little – There is a way to deal with hunger cravings that is so simple, it’s crazy. You can just wait it out. Most of the time waiting for a craving to just go away will work. Just because it sounds simple, doesn’t mean that it is, however. There is a good chance that you’ll feel those same cravings again and shortly. Don’t fret. It’s all mind over matter after all. You’re stronger than that chocolate cake, aren’t you?