6 Tips to Stop Sugar Cravings
By Andrea Pelin, Project Weight Loss Editor
July 06, 2010
Before learning how to avoid them, we should understand why cravings appear in the first place. Cravings may have physical causes such as low levels of adrenaline, fatigue, or low serotonin levels.
Sugar cravings may appear as a result of psychological factors such as stress, boredom, depression, or the general need for comfort.
Since cravings are inevitable, there may be a few healthy ways to curb them.
Tip #1: Eat regularly.
Eating regularly maintains blood sugar levels properly balanced and you may avoid swings in energy levels. Between meals, if you feel the need for a snack, you may try low-glicemic index foods such as apple slices with peanut butter, whole grain crackers with cheese, or yogurt with strawberries.
Tip #2: Drink herbal teas.
Fruity herbal teas seem to be a good solution for sugar cravings since they have a mild taste without added sugar, and you can also benefit from their antioxidant properties.
Tip #3: Distract yourself.
Psychological factors are a trigger for sugar cravings, but you can take a shower, go for a walk, or do some sort of physical exercise when you are tempted to reach for sweets.
Tip #4: Have a healthy breakfast.
This is an excellent way to prevent sugar cravings, especially if you include fibers, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates to your breakfast.
Tip #5: Avoid temptations.
If you have sugary products at home or near you, this will make the cravings even harder to curb. However, if you can`t break the bad habit, at least go for smaller serving sizes. This way, you`ll be able to follow your diet without overindulging and enjoy your treat in the same time.
Tip #6: Chew gum.
Previous research showed that sugar cravings can be reduced by chewing gum. Chewing gum is also efficient in the battle against calories because it may suppress hunger for about three hours after a meal, according to studies.
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