Tame Your Sweet Tooth For Consistent Energy
Do you find yourself drawn to sweets when you see them? If you have a sweet tooth, you know how difficult it is to resist. Sugar is a very addictive substance, and eliminating it is not easy. Yet I’m happy to say that it is possible to tame your sweet tooth by employing some strategies.
Remove the Temptation
Stop buying those sweet treats to stock your pantry – or your desk. If it’s not easily accessible, you are less likely to eat it. Discover nature’s natural sweets with fruit that provide nutrients along with the sweet taste – eat the fruit rather than drinking juice to reduce the effect of sugar on your body. Berries are low in sugar and are full of beneficial antioxidants. Cinnamon is a fantastic spice that makes your food taste sweeter without added sugar. It even helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Become a Hidden Sugar Sleuth
More than in the obvious culprits like soda, fancy coffees and chocolate bars, there are lots of hidden sugars in condiments (like barbeque sauce and ketchup) and packaged bread. These might be fueling your sugar habits without you knowing it. Remember, even foods that are labeled as ‘healthy’ can have lots of sugar in them. Whatever the name – white sugar, cane sugar, brown sugar, dextrose, or maltodextrin — sugar is sugar. Read your ingredients and choose foods without added sugar.
Start With a Nutrient-dense Breakfast
Protein and fats digest slower than the carbohydrates and sugars in cereal. Not only will they keep you satisfied for longer, they will also set your body to use stored energy rather than store fat. A healthy, balanced breakfast also stabilizes blood sugar levels. Sugar cravings are often a result of sudden drops in blood sugar levels. That is why it’s important to eat at regular intervals.
Drink More Water
We often confuse being thirsty for a hunger for a need for food. Aim to drink half your body weight in ounces throughout the day. If you find yourself craving sugar, have a glass of water, wait a few minutes, and see how you feel. You may discover it was just dehydration.
Plan Your Snacks and Meals Ahead of Time
Pre-packaged and fat-free foods contain more sugar, but they are usually what we reach for when hungry or in a rush. Instead of eating these sugary foods, prepare some healthy snacks ahead of time. Wash and cut up some fruits and vegetables or prepare a trail mix with some nuts so that you can grab them whenever you need them.
Take note of when and why you get sugar cravings. Is it a particular time of the day, or is it when you’re feeling stressed or sad? Perhaps you are missing interaction with other people. If you notice a pattern, find other helpful ways to cope. Go for a walk to destress or make a cup of tea. Give yourself a replacement comfort food that doesn’t have sugar. Becoming aware of your eating habits can do wonders for those future cravings.
Above all, give yourself grace. You don’t have to ditch sugar cold turkey, especially if the thought of it is creating the resistance for making any changes at all. Start to tame your sweet tooth with these minor tweaks, and you will find yourself needing sugar less. When you aren’t consuming sugar throughout your day, your body will function far more effectively and your energy level will stay consistent. You will be amazed at how much better you feel!
