Now that we know sugar has such a negative impact on our health, it seems important to figure out some ways to manage sugar cravings. Many of my clients lament the almost daily struggle they experience when it comes to sugar. There are some tricks to help reduce those cravings.
- Start your day with protein. Eating protein for breakfast helps anchor your blood sugar for the day, reducing your desire to reach for a candy bar in the afternoon.
- Make sure you get at least seven hours of sleep each night. Sleep deprived brains are more prone to reach for junk food than well rested ones.
- If a sugar craving hits, tell yourself you can have what ever you are craving in 10 minutes. Use that 10 minutes to distract yourself with something that engages your brain. Your craving will usually pass in that time.
- You can also drink a big glass of water when you feel a craving start. Often our body misreads thirst as hunger.
- Go for a brisk walk outside. This will remove you from any sources of sugar and the movement will release endorphins, or “feel good” chemicals in your brain, which can help turn the craving off.
- If you try all these tips and are still feeling your craving, eat a piece of fruit. Fruit will often satisfy the sugar craving but brings vitamins, minerals and anti-inflammatory chemicals to the mix.
If you have some tips or tricks that work for you, share them below.
Photo from flickr.
