How to manage your sweet cravings!
Do you find that sometimes no amount of willpower can stop you from reaching for a biscuit or five when they’re on offer in the office?
Are you in the habit of having a sweet treat after lunch and again after dinner?
Given the effects of sugar on the brain, it can be very difficult to “moderate” your intake, once you start on the sugar rollercoaster, it’s harder to get off and the earlier in the day we start, the more we eat throughout the day.
Did you know that sugar can interfere with our brain’s ability to determine when we feel ‘full’ and we continue to crave more, leaving us with an insatiable appetite to overeat in general?
Fear not, I was once there and there is a way out! Beating your sugar habit may be the thing you need for full and lasting energy, improve your skin and your ability to manage moods and be less reactive.
The following tips will be helpful for you if you feel like you are ruled by sweet cravings daily, especially in the mid-afternoon or after dinner… Remember, my approach isn’t about ruling things out or depriving yourself but rather crowding out the less nourishing habits (and foods) for better alternatives!
Drink water:
Our sweet cravings can sometimes just be a sign of dehydration. So drink a big glass of water and wait a few minutes to see how you feel.
2. Crowd out, bring snacks:
When you’re hungry, it’s important not to deprive yourself of a snack and you’re more likely to eat what you’ve got in front of you. It helps to be prepared with something savoury, or some nuts, fruit or homemade bliss balls, try my less sweet Lemony Balls. Good fats such as nut butter and avocado are more satiable and help to balance blood sugars.
More on snacks, I reach for sliced banana or berries, topped with tahini (sesame paste), cinnamon and sometimes a few seeds or cacao nibs for an afternoon treat that doesn’t spike me into a sugar bender. After dinner I eat dark chocolate and which I limit to 1-2 pieces (be careful of the caffeine in dark choc, try not to have this too close to bed time.
3. Sweet Vegetables:
Choose veggies that are naturally sweet such as sweet potato, pumpkin and carrots. These are energetically grounding foods and the more of these you eat, the less you’ll crave sugar.
4. Get moving:
Being physically active helps to boost your energy, lifts your mood and balances blood sugar levels. The more active you are, the less you will need to self-medicate with sugar! Start with 10 minutes a day doing activities like walking or yoga and gradually increase.
5. Relax and get more sleep:
If you are stressed and deprived of sleep, your body will crave the quickest form of energy there is – sugar. It’s important you are getting 8 hours of quality sleep per night, to regulate your appetite hormones, moods, energy levels and reduce tension in your body. Have some daily downtime and rest your mind without distractions. I recommend learning mindfulness meditation for as little as 10 minutes a day. I love apps like Headspace and Calm.
6. Have a cuppa:
During a mid-afternoon slump or when you’re craving an after dinner sweet treat, brew yourself a cup of herbal tea. I recommend Licorice Root tea, it offers a naturally sweet taste and can help to stabilize blood sugars and cortisol levels (the hormone related to stress) in the body.
7. Life is sweet:
Cravings are complex and often have a psychological component. It may be that you feel out of alignment in an area of your life such as self-care, relationships, or your career. By slowing down and perhaps making some lifestyle adjustments, you may just find the true sweetness of what you are looking for.
Need some support with this? I cover this in my coaching program 10 weeks to make your healthy happen follow the link and book in for a complimentary discovery session with me to explore working together!