Sugar cravings are real, and we get it. When that need takes over, there’s no stopping the need to dive into your snack cabinet and find something sweet! We’ve been known to go into the kids’ chocolate chips stash out of pure necessity.
However, there are real ways to help curb those cravings. The first step is BEING AWARE and PRESENT so that you aren’t mindfully filling your face without thinking. Once you’re aware of when it’s taking over, you can start to make small changes that will eventually change your habits.
DRINK MORE WATER + TEA
Sometimes sweet cravings are a sign of dehydration. When you find yourself craving something sweet, try to have a glass of water or tea and see if that does the trick - it usually does!EXPERIMENT WITH SPICES
Besides adding so much flavor, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom will naturally sweeten your food and reduce cravings.ADD SWEET VEGGIES OR FRUIT TO YOUR MEAL
When you eat naturally-sweetvegetables and fruit with your meal, it fills you with the sweetness you need and are searching for so you don’t feel like you’re missing something. The best suggestions are sweet potatoes, carrots, and squash.ELIMINATE LOW-FAT OR FAT-FREE PACKAGED FOODS
These foods contain high quantities of sugar to compensate for the lack of flavor and fat, which will send you on a roller coaster ride of sugar highs and lows and always leave you wanting more.BALANCE THE AMOUNT OF ANIMAL FOOD YOU EAT
According to yin-yang principles of eating in Traditional Chinese Medicine, eating too much animal food (yang) can lead to cravings for sweets (yin). Imbalances can also occur when you eat too little animal protein. Through experimentation and intuition, you can find which foods create balance for you as an individual.GET MOVING
Get physically active. Start with simple activities like walking and yoga. If that seems overwhelming to you, start with 10 minutes a day and gradually increase. Being active helps balance blood sugar levels, boost energy, and reduce tension, decreasing the likelihood that you’ll want to self-medicate with sugar.GET MORE SLEEP, REST + RELAXATION
Yes, we know, easier said than done! Simple carbohydrates, such as sugar, are the most readily-available source of energy for an exhausted body and mind. If you’re in a state of chronic stress and/or sleep deprivation, your body will crave the quickest form of energy available – sugar.REDUCE OR ELIMINATE CAFFEINE
The ups and downs of caffeineinclude dehydration and blood sugar swings, which in turn causes sugar cravings. And then you crash from the sugar high and need more caffeine - it can become a never-ending cycle!AVOID CHEMICALIZED ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS
Use natural sweeteners like maple syrup, dried fruit, stevia, and barley malt instead that won’t spike your blood sugar as fast.SLOW DOWN AND FIND SWEETNESS IN NON-FOOD WAYS!
Cravings almost always have a psychological component. By identifying the underlying causes of food cravings and making lifestyle adjustments, you can find balance and take charge of your health. When life itself becomes sweet, excess sugar isn’t needed!
And by the way, there’s nothing wrong with having sweets once in a while, as long as it doesn’t take over your diet. But if you do, make sure it’s something with more natural ingredients and dark chocolate like Hu Chocolate bars or Taza Chocolate Bars.