Bye Sweet Tooth! How to Reset Your Sugar Cravings

Do you eat healthy all day then binge at night? You aren’t alone. 

Research has proven that sugar is more addictive than cocaine, so your cravings are rooted in science. 

Okay, but before you berate yourself for falling victim those sugar cravings for a pint of ice cream or a sickly sweet breakfast pastry, the good news is with consistent work and effort, you can snap yourself out of your sugar dependency.

Here’s how the experts advise doing it.

Assess your habits

It’s time to face the facts. When do you really crave sugar? It’s worth keeping an informal food diary of sorts because what you’ll find is that you often reach absentmindedly for treats when you’re tired, emotional, or bored. This is emotional eating 101. Identify the common triggers and determine something more beneficial you can do instead of taking a walk, calling a friend, journaling, or simply brushing your teeth. Before you know it, you’ll likely find that you didn’t really need or want the sweets after all.

Breakfast is key

Our bodies are clever, but they’re not invincible. If you starve your system of food for long periods of time, of course there will be repercussions. Experts unanimously believe that eating a balanced breakfast will stop your sugar demons from whispering in your ear by the time the clock strikes noon. Opt for something filling, with appropriate ratios of good carbs, fiber, protein, and healthy fats—like a poached egg on whole-grain toast with avocado. Pretty soon, your mid-morning almond croissant just won’t feel as appealing.

Eat regularly

Just like the trap you fall in if you ditch breakfast. If you wait too long in between meals, you may let your ‘hanger’ take over. Nutritionists recommend eating something healthy — protein, fiber, whole grains, and produce — every three to five hours to keep your blood sugars stable and stop you from crashing.

Moderation

Who said life was about restricting yourself? While we don't recommend you channel Bruce Bogtrotter from Matilda when faced with a chocolate cake, there's a lot to be said for allowing your body to fulfill its natural cravings in appropriate, healthy, and measured doses. So the next time you want to enjoy some chocolate or a co-worker's birthday cupcake, let yourself do so and then move on. It will stop you from the dangerous restrict-binge cycle, which is far more damaging in the long run.

Opt for spices and fruit

Nature is on our side! There’s an abundance of wholesome and beneficial ways to reduce sugar cravings while minimizing insulin spikes. Sprinkle cinnamon on your oatmeal or sliced apples with peanut butter to help control glucose levels while scratching the itch for something sweet. Similarly, cloves and ginseng are known to help control blood sugars and curb sweet cravings.