11 Easy Ways to Fight Sugar Cravings

From the day we were born, we have a natural craving for sugar. The average American consumes 22 teaspoons of sugar a day, but the recommended serving of sugar is 6 teaspoons for women and 9 for men. The problem that often occurs is not paying attention to the sugar content in the various foods we eat throughout the day. There are many easy ways to help keep those cravings at a minimal.

Indulge a Little

Indulge in a sugary treat once in a while. By letting yourself consume a sugary treat, such as a cookie or small candy bar, you are not denying your body of the craving. By giving in just a little, you are not setting yourself up for overconsumption. Just try to keep the snack around 150 calories.

Make Your Snack Half Healthy

Combine sugary treats with healthy ones. By combining a mixture of a sugary treat and a healthy one, you are more likely to fill yourself up. This allows you to have your indulgence and reap the benefits from a healthy snack. Some snack to try is apples and chocolate sauce or chocolate chips in a trail mix.

Chew Gum

Instead of reaching for a candy bar or a piece of chocolate every time you crave sugar, pop in a piece of gum. This will curb your craving and still give you a taste of sugar. It is best to go for gum that is labeled sugar-free.

Grab Your Favorite Fruit

Having fruit handy is a great way to curb cravings. Fruits naturally contain sugar. Additionally, you will be giving your body needed nutrients and fiber.

Exercise To Curb Cravings

Whenever craving hits get up and go for a walk. Exercise is not only great for your body, but also helps to deter food cravings. The change of scenery will also help take your mind off the craving.

Regular Eating Schedule

By waiting too long between meals you are setting yourself up to overindulge when you get hungry. It is recommended to eat every 3 to 5 hours to keep your blood sugar level. This will help deter those last minute sugary snacks to help with hunger.

Drink Water

Water is an essential part of our daily diet. Drinking water helps us feel full and allows our body to function the way it should. Water is a great natural way to keep food cravings at a minimal.

Avoid Fat-Free Foods

While these foods may sound better for you, they actually compensate less fat for more sugar. Your body needs fat in your diet in order to keep you feeling full and help deter sugary cravings. It is still good to go for foods that are naturally low in fat, but stay away from labels that claim to be healthy because it lacks fat.

Read Labels

Many foods that we consume daily are high in sugar, even if we do not expect it too. For instance, some vitamin waters and energy bars contain way more sugar that it is recommended for one to consume. The food you eat should be low in sugar in order to meet the daily recommendations.

Avoid Artificial Sugar

There are multiple kinds of artificial sugars on the market that have 0 calories and 0 sugar content. However, by using artificial sugar, you are setting your body up for overindulgence. Using these sugars causes your body to crave "real" sugar and will increase the amount of sugar you use.

Cut Sugary Snacks Cold Turkey

Sometimes going cold turkey is the way to go. By not having any sugary snacks in the house, you are helping yourself make better choices. Try to avoid situations where you may be faced with a challenge, especially the first 48 to 72 hours.