Tips To Stop Sugar Cravings

March 15, 2016

For most of us, sugar is our number one enemy. We know it’s bad for us. It makes our skin look bad, is highly addictive, and is literally in almost everything we eat! What’s more, sugar can be the cause of our headaches, irritated stomachs, and breakouts. It’s only then, unfortunately, that we realize that the binge is not worth the consequences. So who’s the real culprit? Sugar cravings! Nutritionist Mikaela Reuben gives us tips to overcome our cravings and foster a healthy relationship with them (yes it’s possible!).

Stay hydrated. Dehydration is most often misinterpreted as hunger, causing us to reach for sugary snacks when in fact all we need is water.

Get enough sleep. Have you noticed that when you don’t get enough sleep you’re most likely to rely on sugary foods to give you an extra boost? However, much as we would like to get eight hours of sleep, sometimes life gets in the way. So what can you do? Be sure that you get quality sleep. Keep your lights off when sleeping, avoid using your phones or watching TV an hour before going to bed, relax your mind (do yoga, meditate, or read), and avoid caffeine six hours before sleep time.
Identify the root cause of your cravings. Sometimes food cravings tell us that there is something going on beyond the surface, be it physical or emotional. Your cravings could be driven by an emotion such as anger, sadness, or even boredom. Other times, cravings can be traced back to nutrient deficiencies.
Find alternatives. Sometimes the least we can do is find healthier alternatives for our cravings! When craving for sweets, why not choose fresh fruits or bananas instead? When craving for chocolates, try dark chocolates! Find ways to compromise with your cravings.