1) Fiber will keep you full and give you more energy without raising your blood sugar so there’s no [hangry] crash afterward. Choose fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
2) High-protein foods digest more slowly, keeping you feeling full for longer.
3) Protein doesn't make your blood sugar spike the way sugars do. Pick proteins like nuts, or beans, or lean meats, yogurt or eggs.
4) Drink plenty of water. Sometimes sweets cravings, are actually a sign of dehydration. Before you go for the sweet snack, have a glass of water and wait a few minutes.
5) Fruit and sweet vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, turnips) are naturally sweet, have tons of nutrition, and are quite delicious. The more you eat, the less you crave sugar.
6) Spices can naturally sweeten your foods and reduce cravings. Coriander, cumin, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom will add flavor without calories.
7) Scout Out hidden sugar. Sugar can hide in foods where you least expect it. Although they don't seem sweet, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and pasta sauce have loads of sugar. So do reduced-fat salad dressings, bread, baked beans, and some flavored coffees. Get in the habit of reading labels. Filter out high-sugar foods before they hit your shopping cart.
8) Get physically active. Being active helps balance blood sugar levels, boosts energy, and reduces tension which will eliminate the need to self-medicate with sugar! Exercise can help wipe out those sugar cravings and change the way you eat in general. You will start to feel better and want healthier foods. Do what you like whether it’s walking, riding your bike, swimming or hitting the gym. Start out slow, and work toward at least 30 minutes at a time, 5 days a week.
9) Get more sleep, rest, and relaxation. Simple carbs such as sugar are the most readily usable forms of energy for an exhausted body and mind. If you are in chronic state of stress and/or sleep deprivation, your body will crave the quickest form of energy there is - sugar.
10) Slow down and find sweetness in non-food ways. Every craving is NOT a signal that your body biologically requires sugar. Cravings often have a psychological component. By identifying the causes of food cravings and substituting lifestyle and relationship adjustments accordingly, you can begin to find balance and take charge of your health.
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