Sugar. Oh man – hang on ’cause we’re going there. We know it isn’t good for us, and that it can increase our risks of weight gain, fatty liver disease, diabetes, and heart disease. These risks are not good, but they’re also not immediate. So, if you’re like a lot of people, those risks aren’t enough to get you to stop eating sugar. But did you know that there are more immediate side effects of eating sugar that are also bad? Sugar can cause headaches, hunger, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, bloating, and anxiety. Ok then, what are you supposed to do when you just want something sweet? Don’t worry. You can have your cake and eat it too – sort of.
If you’re looking for healthy, low-sugar drink options be sure to check out this post!
Curb Sugar Cravings
First, think about your cravings for sugar. Where do they come from? When do they strike? For me, it’s that period of time between lunch and dinner when my energy naturally dips that sends me into a deep pantry dive. Some people, on the other hand, make sugar part of their nighttime routines. When they don’t have a treat after dinner, they notice. So, knowing if you crave sugar as a reward, as a comfort, or simply as a habit is important.
While it may be tempting to cut all sugar out of your diet, moderation is key. These are a few ways you can curb those sugar cravings:
- Eat sweet fruits and veggies (like sweet potatoes) – these will satisfy your sweet tooth, and you’ll benefit from natural vitamins and minerals that sugary snacks just don’t have.
- Use sweet spices as sugar alternatives – like vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg. These can be added to coffee, smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, etc.
- Get enough magnesium – did you know magnesium regulates glucose, insulin and dopamine (the pleasure hormone) and a magnesium deficiency could lead to sugar cravings?
- Rebalance your sweet scale – lowering how much sugar you eat in non-sweet foods will help make your fruits and desserts taste sweeter. You won’t need as much to curb the craving!
Be thoughtful and intentional about when you consume sugar. That also means finding alternatives to sugar that work and taste like sugar. So when you can, use quick and easy sugar swaps. I’m sharing my favorites below!
What are your go-to sugar alternatives? How do you beat your sugar cravings? Let me know in the comments!
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[…] The problem with letting them have chips or chocolate as their after-school snack is their blood sugar is going to spike. They will feel great for a little while, and then they’ll come crashing down. And very likely, so will their mood again! If your kiddo is in sports or has other after-school activities before dinner, the sugar and refined carbs won’t keep them full long enough to power through. They may even compensate by drinking or eating more sugar, and pretty soon, they (and you!) will be on a hamster wheel of poor nutrition. In case you missed it, I share ways to curb sugar cravings here. […]