How To Stop That Sugar Craving

Do you have a weakness for cookies, cakes, ice cream, and other sweet desserts? These foods are many people’s downfall when it comes to controlling their weight. Some people can give up the potato chips and French fries, but their will power falters when it comes to a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies or a box of Dunkin doughnuts. If you’re ready to give sweet foods the heave-ho, here are some ways to stop sugar cravings dead in their tracks.

How to Stop Sugar Cravings: If You Don’t See It, You Won’t Eat It

Don’t make it too easy by keeping your cabinets stocked with sweet indulgences. Go through your kitchen and make a clean sweep of it. It may be hard to part with those Little Debbies, but the health benefits will be worth it. Once you have temptation out of the way, fill the refrigerator with fresh fruit and lightly sweetened yogurt to use as a healthier substitute. Put some sugar-free gum or mints in a drawer to have handy when a sugar craving strikes.

Get a Clean Bill of Health

Make sure that there’s not a medical reason for your sugar cravings. Conditions such as depression, stress, and hormonal imbalances, particularly menopause, can cause cravings for sugar. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can do the same. Certain medications such as birth control pills, anti-depressants, and steroid based medications can increase appetite and cravings for sugar. Ask your doctor if your prescriptions could be contributing to the problem.

Change Your Overall Diet

Once you eliminate sugar from your diet, you’ll gradually lose your cravings for it – although it may take four to six weeks. Like an addiction, the cravings ease up the longer you keep sugar out of your life. In the meantime, it’s important to keep hunger under control to keep the sugar cravings at bay. To do this, eat four or five small, high fiber, protein rich meals a day to keep you full longer. Nuts are always a good choice for a sugar-free snack.

Get Some Rest

Sleeping less than six hours a night raises levels of a stress hormone called cortisol which increases hunger and brings on cravings for sweet foods. It’s especially important to get enough sleep if you’re pre-menstrual or going through perimenopause or menopause since hormone fluctuations make you more susceptible to cravings - especially if you’re sleep deprived.

Exercise

Exercise cause release of endorphins, healthy brain chemicals that give a sense of well being. So powerful are these chemicals that they can even reduce pain and help relieve depression. Plus, studies have shown that aerobic exercise reduces appetite temporarily. Thirty to forty minutes of vigorous exercise a day helps to take the edge off of those sugar cravings.

Craving for Sugar: The Bottom Line?

It’s okay to have an occasional sweet indulgence, but remember that eating sweet foods can reactivate the cravings all over again. Instead of going for a high carb, sweet dessert such as a doughnut, try a square of dark chocolate instead. It’s less likely to cause sugar cravings because it’s not as sweet, plus it’s filling and has other health benefits. It’s a good compromise and one that most people with a sweet tooth can enjoy.

By Dr. Kristie

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