How to Stop Sugar Cravings
Do you find that you regularly crave something sweet to eat? Do you often find it difficult to talk yourself out of a sugary treat? You may be one of the millions of people who suffer from sugar cravings. While most people simply brush these cravings off as nothing more than having an overactive sweet tooth, the truth is sugar cravings could be a sign of a more serious condition such as a hormonal imbalance or nutritional deficiency.
Hormonal imbalances or nutritional deficiencies can cause you to feel somewhat “down” and/or a bit tired. This is due to low serotonin levels. Carbohydrates, the main component of sugar, cause serotonin levels to rise, resulting in you feeling better temporarily. The main problem with eating a sugary treat for this reason is that you have not improved your overall diet, and your serotonin levels will drop again, causing you to repeat the cycle. There are ways to break this cycle and stop sugar cravings. Below are a few helpful tips.
Lower Your Sugar Intake: Reducing the amount of sugar you ingest on a daily basis can help head off cravings. Some people find that a lack a protein triggers sugar cravings. Try increasing the amount of lean protein you consume in your diet, while lowering your total sugar intake. Substituting sugar substitutes for pure sugar can also help.
Get Rid Of Sugary Snacks: Remove all sugar temptations from your home. Keep from buying cakes, cookies, candy, and ice cream while at the grocery store. When you do not have these items to snack on, you drastically reduce the amount of sugar you consume.
Brush Your Teeth: This may sound a bit silly; however brushing your teeth can really kill the urge to snack on something sweet. When temptation strikes, grab your toothbrush and toothpaste and brush that craving right out of your mouth!
Make Healthy Substitutions: Replace all of your favorite sugar filled snacks with a healthier option, such as fresh fruit, or yogurt. Make sure you regularly consume healthy, well balanced meals that have reasonable amounts of starch. Too much starch can undo your progress because the body converts starch into sugar.
Eat Meals On A Schedule: Try to eat at the same times each day. Too much time between meals can cause your blood sugar levels to drop, and may trigger the need for a quick bit of sugar. If you find you are going to have to wait longer than usual between meals, grab a healthy snack such as an apple, banana, or granola bar.
Get Regular Exercise: Exercise releases endorphins that will make you feel better, have more energy, and decrease the urge to eat extra amounts of sugar.
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