Top 10 Tips for Combating Sugar Cravings
Sugar cravings…that pesky little craving that seems to creep up and ruin all of your progress with healthy eating.
Sugar cravings are common and I too have struggled with it in the past. Cravings are a signal that something is out of balance in our body. Sometimes cravings can be physiological, so maybe you are craving sugar because you haven’t consumed enough food for the day or it can psychological. Maybe you are reaching for the sweets to get a quick serotonin boost.
Whatever the reason, getting sugar cravings in check is important for weight management, gut and hormone health.
Here are my top 10 tips for combating sugar cravings:
My number one rule that I tell my clients is to always have a healthy fat, protein and complex carb at eat meal. This will help keep your blood sugar levels more stable and will keep you feeling fuller, longer. Aim for 20 grams of protein at main meals, especially at breakfast.
Eat at regular intervals throughout the day. Don’t go longer than 3-4 hours without eating.
To combat post lunch or dinner cravings I found that having a healthy carb like sweet potato into your meal helped immensely. I also love adding a sliced apple or pear or even berries to salads give it a nice hit of sweetness as well.
Indulge moderately. After dinner I love a few pieces of dark chocolate and a cup of chai tea or my turmeric elixir with some stevia and almond milk. Totally satisfies my cravings.
Add cinnamon to everything. Sprinkle on oats, yogurt, in smoothies and coffee and on top of fruit. Cinnamon is excellent for balancing blood sugar levels.
Have a protein rich snack in the afternoon and avoid eating fruit after 3 pm to avoid nighttime sugar cravings.
Try not to overdo it with the caffeine. Caffeine increases cortisol levels (aka the stress hormone) and causes blood sugar levels to increase. Limit to one cup in the morning with food and try to avoid it in the afternoon.
Take a little bit deeper look into other areas that could be out of balance. Digestive issues such as candida can contribute to sugar cravings as sugar feeds the bad bacteria. Imbalances in the adrenal glands and the thyroid can also contribute to blood sugar instability.
Nutrients to consider: Vitamin B-Complex, chromium, magnesium, zinc, and probiotics are all great supplements to include in your diet to help with sugar cravings. Chat with a practitioner before starting any new supplementation to see what is best for you.
Last but not least, make healthy versions of your favourite treats! I love making a healthy brownies or an apple crumble for an afternoon treat.
Hope you give these tips a try!
xx
Mia
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