7 Solutions to Sugar Cravings

Trying to fight off the candy corns and Reese Cups? This is the article for you!

Solution # 1:  Check Your Beverages!                                                                                             

 Sounds crazy, but sometimes sweet cravings are a sign of dehydration.  So pound a glass of water, wait 5 minutes and then see if you still have the craving.

Also, too much caffeine mimics a blood sugar crash–you’re high for a bit but then you come crashing down and crave………..SUGAR, of course.

Solution # 2:  Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with Sweet Veggies, Fruit & Spices.                     

Your tongue has sweet taste buds that demand to be satisfied, so don’t hold out on “em!  Add naturally sweet foods & spices to your diet like squash, yams, carrots, beets, berries, figs, apples, cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg, and cloves.

Solution # 3:  Sleep!                                                                                                                           

  For many of us, this is easier said than done.  But if you’re constantly tired your body is going to look for energy, usually in the form of sugar or caffeine.  Power down an hour earlier than usual, and notice how your cravings disappear.

Solution # 4:  Check Your Protein.                                                                                                   

This is a fun, cool fact—watch how much protein and what kind of protein you’re eating, especially animal protein.  Eating too little animal protein can lead to massive sweet cravings.  Eating too much animal protein can lead to sweet cravings.  When I work with clients we find just the right sweet spot for protein intake so they feel satisfied.

Solution # 5:  Sniff Out Low-Fat and Fat Free Foods.                                                                 

 When food manufacturers take the fat out of foods, what do they put in?  Yep, SUGAR!  Learn to read labels carefully.  There are at least 61 different names for sugar listed on food labels. These include common names, such as sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup, as well as barley malt, dextrosemaltose and rice syrup, among others.  (SugarScience/UCSF/Hidden in Plain Site)

Solution # 6:  Move Yo’self.                                                                                                               

Movement is another kind of food for your body.  It releases stress, makes you feel great and look great.  When you don’t get enough, the body starts to look for other ways to blow off steam, like binging on Snickers bars.

Solution # 7:  Create New Post-Meal Rituals.                                                                               

 If you’re a “dessert after your meal” person, one of the things you might love about that is the ritual of it.  What are other possibilities for post-meal rituals?  One example is if you like to eat the dessert at the table over conversation with others, simply move your conversation away from the table to another location, away from dessert.

(This information has been modified from the Health Coach Institutes Sugar Craving Handout)

 

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