When you are craving sugar, it is your body telling you it needs fuel. The only problem is that we pick “rocket fuel” devoid of any nutrients instead of “proper” fuel rich in nutrients.
Here I share my 5 ways to get rid of sugar cravings and get back in control of what you eat:
Regulate your blood sugar levels
The sugar craving cause is blood sugar dysregulation. Basically, if you lose blood sugar control, you tend to feel hungry, tired and have cravings. However, if you gain blood sugar control, you will feel satisfied, full of energy and reduce your sugar cravings. In order to regulate blood sugar levels, you need to include a source of protein at every meal. Protein will give you a long-lasting energy and will avoid the crash you get when eating the sweet stuff.
IN ORDER TO REGULATE BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS, YOU NEED TO INCLUDE A SOURCE OF PROTEIN AT EVERY MEAL
Avoid all processed foods
You will be amazed at the amount of sugar you can find in refined foods. Today’s Western diet is highly refined and plays havoc with our blood sugar levels. The amount of sugar cubes in a pack of cereal or box of cookies is more than you would have ever imagined. One bowl (30g serving) of breakfast cereal can contain up to 3 sugar cubes (12g sugar).
Reward yourself everyday
We turn to sugar when we are looking for a comforting and rewarding experience. Look for a new non-food rewarding experience that nourishes your body, mind, and soul. Shift your focus to look for what makes YOU feel good. Rather than relying on food to do this, get into the habit of making yourself feel good with activities. Whether it is getting a massage, reading a book away from your children or going to your favorite yoga class, search for your own answers. Next time your sugar craving comes around, focus on something else that makes you feel good).
A “HEALTHY” TREAT IS SWEETNESS MADE WITH WHOLE FOODS, PACKED WITH VITAMINS, MINERALS, FIBRE, HEALTHY FATS, PROTEINS, AND NON-REFINED SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES.
Don’t be perfect
Follow the 80/20 rule. 80% of the time you pay attention to what you eat and 20% of the time you do what you want and choose “happy” even if not “healthy”. This is one of the healthiest rules I have ever learned and the best tip to avoid being obsessive about having a healthy diet. which by the way has been quite prominent recently.
Indulge in nutrient-dense treats
Most cravings for the wrong foods are because we have allowed ourselves to become over hungry. Try to keep with you, nutrient dense snacks that you love – a handful of raw nuts and seeds, carrot sticks and hummus, apple slices and nut butter… Rather than feeding the vicious circle of the blood sugar roller coaster leaving you craving for more ice cream or cookie, choose smarter treats filled with nutrients.