Eating Healthily: 9 Ways to Control Your Sugar Cravings
Our craving for sugary foods isn’t just because we like their sweet taste. There are also other reasons why we have a constant wanting for this kind of treat. Some are psychological. Others are physical. And there’s a combination of both.
The first cause is fatigue. When you’re tired, your body signals you to eat sweets to raise its energy.
Another sweet craving episode is caused by stress. This is because the consumption of sweets releases hormones like endorphin, serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine which make us calm and relaxed. That is why we have the so-called “comfort food.”
Then there are causes like blood sugar imbalances. Blood sugar imbalances happen when you eat too much sugar. When your blood sugar is high, your body releases insulin to return it to normal levels. Sometimes or most of the time for diabetics, the insulin is too much that it actually brings the blood sugar level down. This leads to exhaustion which leads again to more sugar cravings.
Last is a bad diet choice. Sugary food is easily digested and the energy given by carbohydrates is quickly spent. So, if your meal is mostly sweets, you’ll get hungry faster and will always keep on wanting more. The unhealthy cycle leads to both addiction and habit and it goes on and on.
1. Give in a little
If you’re just starting to control your cravings, start small by reducing your sugar tolerance. Eating a cookie or taking a small bite of chocolate will do. Then stop there and throw it out.
2. Drink water and get busy
Sometimes sugar hunger is a product of boredom. Trick your mind into thinking it’s full by drinking a full glass of water and then finding something else to do.
3. Eat regular protein and fiber-rich meals
Stay full for longer hours after a meal. Protein-rich foods are harder to digest. The same goes for fiber, like green leafy vegetables. They’re rich in vitamins that fix nutrient deficiencies which lead to fewer cravings.
4. Abstain
Do you crave sweets at the mere sight of one muffin? Then eliminate its presence from your home. Throw all of the sugar out. Give those to someone else. Don’t buy a cup of ice cream ever again. Better yet, switch your diet to a keto diet.
5. Chew on gum
Another way to avoid craving sugar completely is to chew gum. This method can also help control hunger. Chewing gums might be made with artificial sweeteners but they contain a minimal amount of calories with zero sugar.
6. Combine food
To avoid binge-eating on a single sugary food, take a little of it and eat it together with something else that’s healthier. For example, take a small scoop of chocolate ice cream and eat it with a whole banana.
7. Pick healthier sweet alternatives and serve in moderation
If you crave chocolates, go eat a half or quarter of a dark chocolate bar. Want ice cream? Grab a small cup of plain greek yogurt. But the best way to satisfy your sweet cravings is to prepare yourself desserts with very healthy ingredients.
8. Get proper sleep
Don’t allow yourself to be tired all the time. Because if you do, you’ll find it harder to control your sugar cravings as your body will push you to grab a bar of chocolate. Have a healthy sleeping schedule. Always make sure to sleep 6-8 hours every night.
9. Exercise regularly
Your mood swings will drive you to eat sweets just to feel better. Don’t rely on artificial comfort strategies. Decrease your need for a sugar lift by promoting your brain to release the feel-good hormones. Use the natural and healthy way - regular exercise.
Sugar cravings lead to addiction and addiction just doesn’t cause obesity alone but also leads to health problems like diabetes as well. Avoid being at risk of these health problems with these 9 ways. We hope you’ve learned from this article!
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