Do you have a sweet tooth? Do you find yourself craving candy and pretty much anything sweet? Having a high intake of sugars isn’t good for your overall health, especially in the long run. By consuming high amounts of sugar, you could cause health issues from diabetes to heart related diseases, plus you could even cause problems for your teeth by getting cavities. In the end avoiding sugar might be difficult, as it is in most of the foods we eat but if you do your part and reduce you sugar intake by following the tips below then you should be on the right track. Who knows, you might end up avoiding future health problems and cavities, and you may even notice a positive change in your overall health.
Here are some steps you can take to help stop sugar cravings. If you follow these simple steps then you should be on the right track to reducing your sugar intake and working towards a healthier you!
– Small Amounts: If you’re craving something sweet, instead of choosing to eat a whole box of cookies or chocolate, try opting for just a piece of chocolate or 1 or 2 cookies.
– Combing Foods: This tip allows for you to get in a sweet alongside something healthy and beneficial for your body. The key here is to choose some type of sweet you like, such as chocolate and combine it with something healthy like a banana or some nuts. If you pair sweets with health snacks, not only are you getting a dose of sweetness but you’re getting some nutritional health benefits alongside!
– Cold Turkey: This tip might not work for everyone but if you think you can try cutting out sugar cold turkey then go for it! The first couple of days might be a bit of a challenge but over time your taste buds will be use to lesser amounts of sugar intake.
– Grab Gum: “Research has shown that chewing gum can reduce food cravings.” – Dave Grotto.
– Reach for the Fruit: If you feel like you’re craving something sweet, grab a fruit. By opting for a fruit instead of a piece of candy you’ll be giving your body the nutrients it needs. You can even make fruit juices, smoothies and popsicles from combining your favorite fruits together.
– Start Moving: Sometimes the best thing to do when you’re having a craving for sugar is to just simply walk away. Don’t look at sweets, just walk or start doing something productive that will take your mind off wanting something sweet to eat.
– Quality over Quantity: If you do find yourself craving a chocolate bar or piece of candy, try eating one piece of really good chocolate or candy rather than a whole box of something. The key is to savor each bite but remember never to completely cut out your favorite chocolate or candy because it will only make you want more.
– Eat Regularly: At times, when you have to wait long periods of time between meals, you might start craving sweets and snacks to fill the hunger void. Rather than eating sweets to fill the gaps between meals try eating something light and healthy every three to five hours so that you don’t choose the unhealthy junk food or sweets.
Hopefully these tips on avoiding and/or stopping your sugar cravings will help you in reducing your sugar intake. Remember you’re cutting out sugar to avoid future health problems and if you’re still having trouble, talk to your doctor or dentist about other possible solutions. It might even help to find a partner to accomplish this goal together with, that way you both can motivate and push each other to tackle the goal as a team. A healthy diet means a healthy you!