5 Ways To Reduce Sugar Cravings
Sugar is addicting and it seems like it is everywhere and in everything. While sugar can be okay in small amounts, too much can wreak havoc on your health. Sugar can be a cause for digestive issues, skin issues, anxiety, depression, brain fog, inability to lose weight among other symptoms. By eliminating refined sugars such as cane sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, and brown sugar as well as limiting unrefined sugars such as honey, maple syrup and coconut sugar in your diet can help improve your health and wellbeing in so many ways.
While knowing that sugar should be limited in your diet is helpful, it can be difficult to actually take action. The main reason is because sugar is hidden in most packaged foods and many of us deal with sugar cravings often. This makes it difficult to follow through with minimizing your sugar intake.
If you deal with sugar cravings, try out these tips below to help you minimize them. Keep in mind that decreasing your sugar cravings doesn’t happen overnight. It can take time to reduce your cravings, but in the end it is worth it.
Tip #1 add in more whole fruit
The best way to reduce your sugar cravings is by simply focusing on real whole foods, specifically whole fruits vs. sugar. Fruit on its own, blended into a smoothie or incorporated into baked goods is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth. When you focus on consuming whole fruits (complex carbohydrates) over time you will naturally crowd out simple sugars that cause your blood sugar to spike like cane sugar, maple syrup, coconut sugar, etc. I love starting off the morning with a sweet breakfast like oatmeal or a smoothie to satisfy my sweet tooth for the day.
Tip #2 consume sugar with adequate protein, healthy fats and fiber
Sugar on its own, especially in processed foods that are lacking in essential nutrients, will cause your blood sugar to spike. However, when you eat sugar with a source of protein, healthy fats and fiber rich carbohydrates your blood sugar won’t spike as much. When you eat meals or snacks that contain essential macronutrients you will notice that your sugar cravings decrease overtime.
Tip #3 support your gut microbiome with gut friendly foods
A healthy gut microbiome is essential to reduce sugar cravings. Not only that, but a healthy gut microbiome can help reduce symptoms from eating too much excess sugar like brain fog, inability to lose weight, skin issues, etc. Some gut friendly foods include kefir, probiotic rich plant based yogurts, sauerkraut, kimchi and other fermented foods.
Tip #4 don’t wait too long to eat between meals
When you go too long without eating, your blood sugar will dip which can cause sugar cravings. Have you ever noticed when you go too long without eating you tend to crave foods high in carbohydrates or sugary foods? The best way to avoid this is by making sure you don’t skip meals or go too long without eating. Eating a small snack like an apple with nut butter between meals can help keep you full and satiated till your next meal.
Tip #5 complete an added sugar detox
Completing an added sugar detox is a fantastic way to start eliminating sugar cravings. An added sugar detox simply means eliminating all added sugars including refined and unrefined sugars for 5-7 days or longer. Completing an added sugar detox can help you become more aware of where sugars are hiding in your diet so you can reduce your sugar cravings. Completing an added sugar detox with help you to reduce brain fog, jumpstart your weight loss goals, support skin health and more.
If you are ready to reduce your sugar cravings and minimize your sugar cravings to feel and look your best then check out my 7 Day Clean Eating Challenge. This no added sugar 7 day challenge guides you through understanding added sugars and how you can minimize them in your diet. This guide includes a meal plan and recipes for all 7 days and offers essential guidance to help support your body in a holistic way. Check it out here.