All of us have been there.
It is quite common to have strong, irresistible sugar cravings. And it is becoming harder to control sugar cravings.
And why wouldn’t that be?
There are so many delicious options out there.
Did you know- as you are reading this article, a whole new dessert is being coined somewhere.
It gives us a rush of energy and boosts our mood in no time.
But let’s face it- sugar is not good for our health.
The more we consume it, the more we harm our teeth in the process.
Plus the energy you get from it is short-lived.
Often how this happens is that when you eat something with sugar, within two hours, you want to have something with sugar again.
It is not possible to get long-lasting energy from this. You can consider it to be empty calories.
So how do we control our cravings and use better, healthier substitutes?
This article is all about different ways in which you can fight sugar cravings successfully.
So let’s begin:
Why Do We Crave Sugar?
Sugar is basically what we call empty carbohydrates.
It does not come with what we call proteins or fats. And this is where the problem lies.
What you are consuming is not going to promise long-lasting results.
It is basically getting a sudden rush of sugar- a sudden burst of energy but then you lose it as quickly as you got it.
We cannot consider it as a good source of energy. But why do people still prefer it?
Scientists have stated how eating sweet is a preference we have since our birth.
Sugar releases what we call endorphins. These are the feel-good hormones that boost our mood.
Have you ever heard how chocolate or ice-cream is offered to someone when they hear bad news?
This is because it is known to give them a calming and relaxing effect.
Carbohydrates are also known to be a good source of feel-good element called ‘serotonin’.
It is essentially what keeps the body going in good motion.
Problem with Sugar Indulgence
It arises when we over-indulge in sugar. This is because we are already consuming sugar by eating other food items like bread, juices, yogurt and even different sauces.
This is what we call hidden sugars.
So adding to it sweets and other carbohydrate food choices, we are doing a lot of harm to our body.
Some shocking statistics have shown how we are consuming about 22 teaspoons of added sugar everyday, aside from what we are already indulging from other food elements.
There are so many food choices now that have a range of problems to it.
It is best if you look at the labels before consuming anything.
Even those food choices which call themselves as ‘sugar-free’, or ‘organic’, may actually have hidden sugars in them.
Ways to Fight and Control Sugar Cravings
So now that we have had a good discussion on what are sugar cravings and why are these essentially harmful for us.
I want to now talk about different ways in which you can combat and control sugar cravings.
Yes that is also possible when you know what you are doing. Check out these great ways to tame those cravings:
It’s okay to Indulge a little
The main thing nutritionists suggest is that you should not bar yourself from indulging at all.
It is okay to enjoy a little.
Having some of it means you are not completely denying yourself from the experience.
As when you do that, it means you will then over-indulge when you get the chance and that is dangerous.
So savor a little and keep your indulgence on the 150 calorie mark.
This allows you to enjoy a little sweet without it causing ample harm to your diet.
Make Use of Combination of Foods
This is an interesting way in which you can satisfy your sugar cravings by opting for choices which are healthier in nature.
So let’s say you want to have some chocolate.
What you can opt for is dipping a banana in chocolate sauce or combining some nuts with chocolate pudding.
You can also add chia seeds to desserts, as it has many benefits and no taste.
This allows you to have some of that sweet pleasure but also allows you to mix some healthy nutrients with the chocolate option.
This is all about how you can creatively create your own choices. Get creative in sweetened options.
The Act of Quitting Altogether
While for some, it works better if they try to get rid of the habit in steps.
But for others, it is also workable to completely quit cold turkey.
This means you decide on not consuming any more sweets and get off the habit in one go.
So this may be hard for the first 2-3 days, it so happens that you are then able to structure your taste buds to be satisfied with less.
You are able to customize your cravings in a way where you don’t need to eat sweets often.
And this then leads to the control of your sugar cravings.
Gum is the Word
To control your sugar cravings, one interesting way to do so is by chewing sugar-free gums.
There are now so many options out there.
It is simply to be able to keep your mouth busy and you have your taste buds accustomed to the act of chewing.
This allows for you to eat less sugar. In fact many who adapt this practice say that they are more accustomed to chewing gum now than grabbing a candy bar.
Fruits to Control Sugar Cravings
So this is basically you getting your rush of sugar cravings satisfied- with the healthy option.
Fruits are always a good choice.
They give into your cravings, and with that you are also getting a good amount of fiber and nutrients as well.
So choose wisely and adapt your cravings to better possibilities.
You can also stock up on foods like fiber, nutrients while getting the good rush of sweetness too.
Get the Mind to Work
Nutritionists suggest that the best way to control sugar cravings is to ward off from the cravings.
If you get a strong urge to savor into something sweet, change the scenario.
Walk around the block or change the scenery. This allows for you to get your mind away from these sugar cravings.
When you get yourself busy in some other activity, you are keeping your mind distracted and this helps.
Quality Over Quantity
So this basically means you are getting your cravings satisfied in the better way.
If you are craving sugar, do so by choosing a decadent dessert which is of a small size as opposed to going for a huge candy bar.
This would just mean that you will go for options which are easier to grab and this means your choices of indulgence will become convenient.
So it is best that you pick food choices which satisfy your taste buds but do so in a way in which you are getting quality and even better nutrients.
Consume Food Regularly to Control Sugar Cravings
This is one of the best ways in which you can curb your sugar needs.
When you fill up on sugary foods, you are basically not satisfying your hunger.
It is not focusing on nutritional levels but it is just what we call empty calories.
You should combat your hunger pangs by focusing on ways in which you consume healthy meals.
It is best to have a healthy, nutritious breakfast which will keep you satisfied for longer periods of time.
This keeps your blood sugar levels in good range.
Eat in Breaks to Control Sugar Cravings
This means you can consume your food in small intervals.
It makes for taking in the nutrition in intervals. The advantages of this act is you are able to consume food and gain its energy in small intervals.
Allowing you to feel full and satisfied for longer periods of time.
So To Sum Up
Sugar cravings are common. Many people get those.
But the problem is the way you satisfy your sugar cravings with quick ways and empty calories which will leave you craving for more.
This article is a complete overview of what are sugar cravings and why are they not good for your health.
We also looked into the different ways in which you can combat these cravings.
Opt for healthier options and manage your life in a better way.
There are still ways in which you can satisfy your sweet tooth but not going overboard with it. Ensuring that you are managing your body with the right amount of nutrients.
