Foods that Reduce Sugar Cravings

Hunger vs Cravings

When you have a craving it’s just that - a craving.  It doesn’t mean you are actually hungry!  There’s a big difference.  Your body isn’t looking for energy. Your brain is looking for something that releases a lot of dopamine.  The dopamine naturally produced by your brain makes you feel good and have self confidence.  Also, eating a lot of sugar lowers the immune system - making us more susceptible to illness!  In this article, I will be discussing foods that reduce sugar cravings.

So what can you do to reduce sugar cravings?

Eat Regularly

Don’t starve yourself. This means you’re likely to make healthy choices, so plan meals ahead of time.  It’s always a good idea to write a list of what you’re going to eat within the next day or two - this will help keep you on track.

Eat Protein - it’s very satisfying

Protein with fiber and carbs keeps you full longer, so you’re much less likely to snack. e.g have an egg on whole wheat toast, instead of just toast. Add salad to a ham sandwich.

Don’t leave it too long between meals, because the hungrier you are the more likely you will be to eat the quickest food you can find - usually junk food.  I know what it’s like, when I used to get hungry (and still do if I’m not prepared) I will pick the easiest food I can, to satisfy my hunger cravings.

That’s why it is important to plan meals and snacks ahead of time, so you will have healthy foods to eat.  This  will not only avoid sugar cravings but will lead to weight loss because you will be eating less sugar and unhealthy fat and processed foods.  Take it from me, you will feel a lot better and won’t feel guilty about eating the wrong things:)

Healthy Foods to Reduce Sugar Cravings

Apple

An apple is sweet and rich in fiber that will help you feel full for a long time. having to slowly chew it aids in decreasing hunger pangs and sugar cravings. So, keeping an apple in your bag or pocket will make it easy to access when you have a sugar craving.

Sweet Potato

Another sweet food that can help rid of cravings. Either boil or fry it, it’ much better than the regular tuber. You get not only your necessary amount of vitamins and iron, you also reduce your chances of heart ailments, as well as other degenerative diseases and cancer.

Tomato

Tomato’s are high in serotonin, (aka the happy hormone). In reality it is a neurotransmitter that can let your brain know that your sugar cravings are satisfied. It’s also rich in chromium, which reduces cravings for unhealthy food, while also keeping control of your blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Cinnamon

The sweet smelling bark is full of hydroxychalcone, which boosts the effects of insulin therefore considerably lowering your sugar cravings. It also aids in curbing the spike in blood sugar associated with sugar cravings.

This sweet corn will make you full and substantially reduce your sugar cravings. The antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and the dietary fiber in sweet corn, when included in your daily diet will help you stay healthy.

Other Healthy Substitutes

If you’re not ready to throw out the sweet treats, at least hide them.  Put the good snacks where you can see them. Examples of  healthy snacks are:-  a tub of almonds or walnuts, vegetable strips with guacamole or cottage cheese, a piece of fruit, whole grain crackers.

If you feel like something sweet to eat try this dessert, add fresh fruit and granola to cottage cheese or yogurt instead of putting them on ice cream.  That way you are getting a protein rich treat without the high sugar content.

You will be more likely to eat what you can see - so put healthy treats around your house.

Sometimes the body can mistake thirst for being hungry, which can lead to sugar cravings.  So have regular glasses of water throughout the day.  Six to eight glasses a day is best.