Lifestyle
How to Fight Sugar Cravings Naturally
If you crave sugar, then you are not alone.
In fact, according to the Health Watch Clinic, the average American consumes around 152 pounds of sugar in one year. That is a lot of sugar!
Although it is not surprising that so much sugar is consumed each year, considering the psychological effects it has on us.
According to MultiCare, the Center for Weight Loss & Wellness, we crave sugar because it makes us feel good when we consume it.
Consuming sugar makes us feel good because of the sugar-releasing dopamine in our brains.
So the next time you find yourself craving a piece of cake, cookie, ice cream, or a sugary soda, try some tips below to help curve your sugar craving.
1. Eat Fruits
Eating fruit is a great way to curve your craving for sugar while maintaining a healthy diet. Eating an apple, grapes, pineapples, or watermelon can quickly satisfy the sweet tooth.
Furthermore, eating fruit can allow you to maintain a healthy diet as it features vitamins and fiber.
If eating fruit is still not enough and the cravings continue, then a smoothie may help by allowing an intake of sweets over a more extended period.
Making a smoothie at home with raw fruits may be healthier than purchasing it at a fast food chain or getting it frozen at your local grocery store. [Read also: Tips to Save Money at the Grocery Store]
Making a fruit smoothie at home allows control of the ingredients added to the smoothie. If buying frozen smoothie packets from the store, check the sugar content on the back of the package.
When buying smoothies from a local restaurant or fast food place, check the nutritional guide for sugar content. Smoothies may contain added sugar or concentrated juice that contains sugar, making the smoothie worse than a can of soda.
2. Chew Gum
If a sugar craving hits and eating fruit is not an option, chewing gum may help.
Chewing gum can do more than curb sugar cravings. It also helps reduce hunger.
According to WebMD’s article, Diet Myth or Truth: Chewing Gum for Weight Loss, “Chewing gum also helped the study participants satisfy their cravings and resist fattening treats.”
Chewing gum can be a helpful way to distract yourself from wanting something sweet and can help with feeling fuller longer.
Plus, it’s a great way to freshen up bad breath!
3. Avoid Buying Sweets at the Grocery Store
Not having sweets in the house is the best way to curve a sweet tooth.
Having sugary snacks in the house makes it easy to skip over healthy food options for a quick snack loaded with sugar.
Although the occasional sugary snack is Ok, eating these snacks as a regular habit can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle and weight gain.
If you want snacks in the house for when you do not want to cook, then check the back of the packaging to see the amount of sugar included and the ingredients. Furthermore, the type of sugar can make a difference.
According to Healthline, “high-fructose corn syrup as a sweetener in processed foods could be linked to ballooning rates of obesity.”
Fun Facts: Check the packages’ ingredients to ensure they do not contain processed sugar. Processed sugars can go by a variety of different names.
Some more popular names are:
- Fructose
- Sucrose,
- Glucose
- Agave Nectar
- Fruit Juice Concentrate
- High-Fructose Corn Syrups
4. Eating Healthy Snacks
If you’re looking to break your addiction to sugar, then it might be beneficial to opt for healthy snacks that are low in sugar.
Some great snack ideas that you could consider include items such as
- Pistachios
- Vegetables
- Cheese
- Crackers
- Rice cakes
These snacks can help you feel full and content, which may lead to further sugar cravings later on. Therefore, the next time you feel the urge to indulge in something sweet, try turning to one of these healthier options instead!
5. Focus Your Mind on a Task or Hobby
At times, when one cannot stop thinking about food and has an incessant craving for sugar, it is beneficial to shift the focus onto other tasks.
Things to distract you from sugar may include finishing up school or work-related assignments or taking care of household chores like tidying up or folding laundry.
By focusing on tasks that require your full attention, you can distract yourself from your cravings and channel your energy towards more meaningful endeavors.
This shift in focus can help you overcome your food-related distractions and bring a sense of accomplishment to your day.
It is worth giving it a try and experiencing the positive impact it can have on your well-being.
6. Get a Full Night’s Rest
Getting a good night’s rest allows a more productive day while making better choices.
According to EverlyWell, “lack of sleep causes the hunger-stimulating hormone ghrelin to increase, which causes you to eat more sweets and sugary treats.”
Ironically, eating sugar throughout the day can cause an interruption of sleep throughout the night, which in turn will cause sugar cravings throughout the next day.
A repeated vicious cycle that can be hard to beat over time.
7. If all Else Fails, Indulge a Bit
If you still crave sugar after eating a healthy snack, focusing on a hobby or task, getting a whole night’s rest, and chewing gum, then indulge a bit.
There are healthier options such as dark chocolate, blueberry-covered chocolate, or just dipping a banana in Nutella. Keeping portions small is vital when indulging in chocolate.
Furthermore, it’s essential to understand your weaknesses when it comes to chocolate to help minimize overindulging.
For example, don’t buy a king-size chocolate bar if you know you will eat it in one sitting.
If you buy a bag of fun-size candy bars, freeze what you don’t eat to make it harder to eat on a whim. Freezing chocolate causes you to wait until the chocolate is not frozen to eat it. This gives you time to think about your choices rather than indulging in an impulse.
Another thing to note is always to check the sugar content on all packages! Checking the nutritional value ensures you know exactly how much sugar you put in your body daily.
However, getting past sugar cravings can be challenging but worth it.
Ironically, getting past a constant desire for sugar allows for a more energetic lifestyle, helping with a whole night’s sleep and weight loss. [Read also: Worst Foods for Your Skin]
In conclusion, sugar cravings are a common occurrence for many people, and it can be challenging to resist the urge to indulge in sweet treats.
However, there are several ways to curve sugar cravings. Below is a quick recap:
- Eating fruit
- Chewing gum
- Avoiding buying sweets at the grocery store
- Eating healthy snacks
- Focusing your mind on a task or hobby
- Getting a full night’s rest
- Indulging in moderation
By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you can develop a healthier lifestyle and avoid the negative effects of consuming too much sugar.
Full List of How to Fight Your Sugar Craving
1. Eat Fruits
2. Chew Gum
3. Avoid Buying Sweets at the Grocery Store
4. Try Eating a Healthy Snack
5. Focus Your Mind on a Task or Hobby
6. Get a Full Nights Rests
7. If all else Fails, Indulge just a bit.
Thank you for taking the time to read our article, and hope you found the information helpful in fighting your sugar craving. I know how difficult it is to fight your sugar cravings. However, I have overcome craving sugar time and time again, and I know that you, too, can overcome it as well.
About Author, Sara Elizabeth
Writer, Amora V Lifestyle
Sara is a writer for Amora V. Sara previously worked as a Marketing Manager and has her Master’s from Lindenwood University. Sara studies everything of interest, from psychology, recipes, finances, mental health, and travel, striving to find happiness and to live a good life.
When not learning, Sara loves all things outdoors, food, and hanging around great company. Furthermore, Sara loves spending time with family, whom she is blessed to have in her life.
Note from Author: I hope my articles bring you joy and peace, and that you enjoy them!
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