• Don't skip meals, especially breakfast.
• Get regular exercise.
• Eat high-energy foods, including whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid fatty foods. Fat takes a long time to digest and makes the body feel sluggish.
• Sugar's OK, but don't overdo it.
• Get a good night's sleep. Getting even an hour less than you need can result in slower mental functioning.
• Drink plenty of fluids. You need to drink the equivalent of a half-gallon of fluid a day.
• Coffee and tea will give you a lift -- in moderation. Caffeine is a stimulant.

(HealthDay News) -- Food cravings can pull you off course when you're trying to diet and eat in a healthful way.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers these suggestions to help you curb food cravings:

• Cravings often are short-lived. Try to wait at least 20 minutes before you act on a craving.
   
• Opt for a healthier alternative to what you crave. Choose fat-free chips instead of potato chips, or bake an apple for a sweet treat.
   
• Buy your favorite treats in single-serving sizes. For example, buy a single cookie, rather than a whole box.
   
• Have regularly scheduled snack times and enjoy a healthy snack that you've already stocked.
   
• Indulge in a social treat -- rather than food -- by calling a friend.
   
• Keep a log of your cravings. Record what you were doing when you craved, how long you felt the craving and how you handled it.