10 Ways to Stop Sugar Cravings
• Increase your protein intake
Our bodies often exhibit cravings for sweets when the actual need is protein.
• Remove temptations
Conscious efforts should be made to clear your refrigerator and pantry of cake, ice cream, and cookies. When you go food shopping, keep your eyes off sweets. If you stay away from things that tempt you your cravings will subside.
• Distractions
Divert your attention to something else. You will soon forget about your craving. Get involved in some other activities such as watching TV, reading, or dancing. Avoid sitting alone and thinking about it.
• Replace sweets with fruit
Sugar in processed foods is digested differently than sugar in fruit, primarily because processed sugar contains 50% fructose which is difficult for your liver to metabolize. Fruits contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and phytonutrients to counteract the harmful metabolic effects of fructose and glucose.
• Read Labels
Be aware of how much sugar you are consuming. Knowing the sugar content will help kick your addiction. Foods and drinks with high sugar content should be avoided.
• Consider Chromium
This mineral helps the body maintain blood sugar. Studies show that many find it helps lower sugar cravings. People with a history of hypoglycemia should use caution.
• Vitamin B Complex
Vitamin B helps feed the adrenal gland, an important function of which is to assist body response to stress, which increases sugar cravings as adrenal gland becomes fatigued.
• Check Thyroid function
Low thyroid activity can lead to sugar cravings. Signs of low thyroid function are dry skin, fatigue, cold hands and feet, constipation, hair loss, and brain fog. Simple blood tests can be used to check thyroid function under the care of a physician.
• Set daily goals and reward yourself for meeting them
For a sugar addict, nothing can be harder than getting through the day without a sweet treat. Try to set small goals for yourself to abstain from cravings then reward yourself.
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals
Meals for the week should be planned in advance focusing more on protein and vegetables. Try to avoid junk food. Incorporate a mid-morning and a mid-afternoon snack consisting of healthy options like vegetables and hummus, or organic nut butter on sprouted grain bread. Opting for more vegetables and protein-based meals without refined sugars should also foster weight loss.
