Curb Your Sugar Cravings
- Hydrate Cravings can be caused by dehydration. When one hits, drink a glass of water and wait a few minutes until it passes.
- Cut the coffee Caffeine causes ups and downs in blood sugar and energy levels, exacerbating cravings. Experiment with non-caffeinated herbal teas.
- Sleep more A sweet tooth is often activated by exhaustion, when your tired and body seeks energy. Experts recommend seven or eight hours of sleep each night.
- Get physical Regular daily exercise helps balance blood sugar levels, decrease stress, and maintain energy.
- Snack on veggies and fruits Natural sugars in fruits and vegetables like squash, carrots, and roasted onions will help you avoid processed sugar.
- Dump refined sugars Considered by some experts to be poison, refined sugars can't be metabolized without leeching vital minerals from the body.
- Fill up on protein and fiber Eating enough protein and dietary fiber helps balance blood sugar levels and diminish sugar cravings.
- Eliminate fat-free foods The fat-free label is often a license for manufacturers to boost refined sugar levels in their products. Besides, your body needs fat to absorb vitamins.
- Spice up your life Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, and coriander can "sweeten" food without adding sugar.
- Become a food detective Carefully read food labels for hidden sugars. A simple rule of thumb is to avoid any ingredient that ends in "-ose."
- Breathe Take three deep, cleansing breaths (in through the nose, out through the mouth) before eating. Approach each meal with mindfulness and gratitude.
- Satisfy your soul Sugar cravings often reflect a deep spiritual yearning. Seek out the real sweet things in life—like fulfilling relationships, a passionate career, and devotion to a cause.
