Indulging in sugar is one way that we reward ourselves. Whether you have had a long day at work, or have gone through an emotionally taxing breakup, sugar can help us cope with the environments and problems that surround us. The reason for this? When you eat sweet foods, your brain releases endorphins that send signals to the body. These signals tell your body to release the ‘feel good’ hormones.
While sugar is okay to consume in small amounts, if you have a habit of sneaking to the kitchen cupboard multiple times a day for a sweet treat, you might want to rethink that.
Continually checking in with yourself and deciphering the reasons behind your sugar cravings is a good place to start to kick your sugar cravings. Ask yourself, “Am I eating sugar because I’m stressed, sad, hungry or bored?” If the answer to any of these questions is, “Yes,” then train yourself to walk away from your kitchen instead of snacking. Go for a walk to relieve stress, text a friend if you are feeling sad or bored, and if you are hungry opt for healthy, filling food to combat your cravings.
Speaking of food, another reason your body might be craving sugar is because of the way you are feeding it. Be sure you’re getting plenty of protein and nutrient-rich carbs into your diet. These two types of foods help keep you fuller longer since your body takes longer to digest them.
If you find that your sugar cravings are still stronger than ever, then remember not to cut carbs back entirely if you are on a restrictive diet. Diets that cut carbs to fewer than 50 grams per day may help you lose weight fast, but they take your blood sugar levels on a wild trip with the destination set at disaster. Instead, opt for carbs in small amounts such as oats, whole wheat flour, quinoa, barley, and brown rice to keep your blood sugar levels from spiking or dropping too low.
Whether you want to pry yourself away from sugar altogether or simply cut back a bit, these tips will help you support your goals and keep your sugar cravings low. Finding other outlets to deals with your stress and emotions, eating wholesome, unprocessed food, and not cutting out carbs from your diet is the perfect recipe to healthy and guilt-free lifestyle.