Elevate Your Wellbeing: 5 Powerful Strategies To Overcome Sugar Cravings
We love salt, fat and sugar. We're hard-wired to go for those flavours. They trip our dopamine networks, which are our craving networks.
Michael Pollan
Refined sugar is poisonous to your body and should only be ingested in small amounts, if at all. The problem with sugar cravings is that most foods have some amount of sugar, and it is almost impossible to avoid eating this substance some each day.
Did you know that sugar and processed foods are considered as addictive as heroin or cocaine? Knowing effective ways to decrease your sugar cravings can allow you to have better health and to decrease inflammation in the body.
#1. Reach For Fruit
One way to get some sugar in your body it craves without eating the bad kind is by eating fruit. This will allow you to get a natural source of sugar and is one of the best ways to help you satisfy your craving without eating processed sugar.
Consider eating apples, oranges, pears or any other type of fruit that can be easily got from your local grocery store or farmer’s market. It’s a good idea to keep a stock of these healthy goodies in your frig for easy access.
#2. Take A Hot Shower
Some people who experience sugar cravings have found that hot showers or baths provide relief. The water must be hot - not so hot that you burn your skin but hot enough that it’s on the verge of feeling uncomfortable.
Let the water run over your back and shoulders to warm you up. Stay there for at least 5 to 10 minutes. When you get out of the shower, you'll probably feel 'woozy', like you've been in a sauna for a long time. By then your craving will probably be gone.
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BETSY MorrisON
It's not about dieting or pushing to extremes; it's about sustainable health and loving your body.
#3. Exercise Or Walk Outside
Go for a walk or join the gym to help you get moving. Exercising daily is a great way for you to combat sugar cravings and allow you to avoid eating this chemical. It’s a great idea to set a time each day for your exercise and stick to doing it.
You may find once you get into a routine that comprises moving more, your body will simply not crave this substance as it once did. Additionally, there are many other great health benefits of exercise, too.
#4. Eat Regularly Filling Meal
It's important not to skip meals if you want to reduce your sugar cravings. Your body needs food to fuel itself, so you should eat regularly. Do not skip breakfast, lunch or dinner if you want to get through the day without craving sugar.
It's much better for your overall health and your body to eat regularly than to skip a meal if you want to limit your sugar cravings for good. Once your body gets used to eating three meals a day, you should stick to this schedule for better health.
#5. Limit Your Portions
You may want to consider having a small amount of sugar in your daily diet rather than a large portion at a time. Consider eating a mini-sized candy bar, rather than a huge piece of cake or a huge candy bar.
You are sure to reap the benefits of eating fewer calories and reducing the number of your cravings at the same time by doing this. It’s much better to give in to a craving just a little bit rather than a lot.
The Bottom Line
Cutting out sugar is one of the best things you can do for your body. Over time, excessive consumption of this substance can lead to some serious health problems, including obesity, diabetes and others that can be fatal if left untreated.
Sugar cravings are very common, especially in women. Remember that giving in to a craving will only feed the addiction. If you can resist, the cravings will diminish over time and eventually disappear.
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FAQ
Magnesium is used in the regulation of glucose, insulin, and the neurotransmitter dopamine; a deficiency can manifest in the form of intense sugar cravings, especially for chocolate. We need zinc for proper insulin and glucose utilization; a deficiency can also lead to sugar cravings.
Often, the craving is for foods high in sugar and fats, which can make maintaining a healthful diet difficult. Food cravings are caused by the regions of the brain that are responsible for memory, pleasure, and reward. An imbalance of hormones, such as leptin and serotonin, can also cause food cravings.
Withdrawal symptoms can last from a few days to two weeks. The longer your body goes without sugar, the less intense your symptoms and cravings for sugar will be. You may find that your symptoms are worse at certain times of the day, such as between meals.
What happens to your body and brain when you stop eating sugar? Eating a lot of refined, added sugars can lead to headaches, low energy levels, and inflammation. Cutting sugar out of your diet will likely decrease inflammation, boost your energy levels, and improve your ability to focus.
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