How to get rid of sweet cravings

Have you ever wondered why you have such a sweet tooth? Or why during a certain time of the day you feel a sudden need to eat loads of sweet stuff?

You may be addicted to sugar.

Ever since I started eating healthily, I have been checking product labels in stores. Most processed foods, even those labeled “healthy”, contain large amounts of sugar. Some people even think that they aren’t eating processed sugar, when in fact they may be consuming large amounts without even realizing it.

Here I talk about white or brown sugar or its substitutes, not the sugar found naturally in fruits or vegetables.

Here is a list of popular “healthy” foods that may contain processed sugar:

• fruit juices
• cereal products such as muesli
• low fat yoghurts
• milk drinks
• ketchup
• salad dressings
• pasta sauces
• spices (e.g. for chicken)
• grill sauces
• sauces and marinades for meats
• breads

Sugar is found in many products, and you may not even realize how much sugar you eat every day.

The problem with consuming so much sugar is not just weight gain. Excessive consumption can lead to other serious health problems such as obesity, diabetes, heart conditions and more.

If you eat these foods frequently, or if you eat other foods that are high in sugar, try the following to get rid of sweet cravings:

1. Find healthier alternatives

Just because you’re removing processed sugar from your diet doesn’t mean you have to stop eating tasty foods. Online you can find tons of recipes to satisfy your every craving, without the need for processed sugar. A good example are raisins or dates.

2. Know the different names of sugar

Processed sugar found in our food won’t always be labelled “sugar.” For example, processed foods in supermarkets also include high fructose corn syrup, aspartame (an artificial sweetener), saccharin, agave syrup, sugar cane juice, dextrose, glucose and maltodextrin. These are just a few of the many names for sugar and sweeteners that you should try to avoid. Honey and maple syrup are two products that I personally use.

3. Eat healthy

Try to eat healthy for a few weeks by replacing all unhealthy sweet foods with alternatives. Eat plenty of vegetables and try to eat balanced meals. This way you will stabilize your blood sugar level and reduce your cravings for sweetness.

4. Learn to read information on the packaging

Find which products hide sugar. Start by reading the labels on the packages of the products you buy. It’s worth spending some time on this as it will save you unnecessary visits to the doctor.

5. Don’t be fooled by “fat-free” or “healthy” foods

Just because the label says “fat-free” or “healthy” doesn’t mean that this product is healthy for you. In fact, “fat-free” can be one of the worst things for cravings and weight gain. That’s because when fat is removed from food, manufacturers typically add sugar to make their product taste better.

Hope you find the above tips useful and be able to cut down on sugar you eat each day.

If you would like to know more about how to eat healthy, book a chat with me.