Think willpower is the only way to curb sugar cravings?
Well, truth is, there are actually easier ways to curb sugar cravings (and still maintain your sanity!).
And by the end of this article you’ll see how eating more magnesium-rich foods or simply drinking more water, might be all you need to curb sugar cravings!
NOTE: This article relates to processed/refined sugar ONLY, which is linked to a long list of health issues. It acts differently from naturally occurring sugar that is found in fruits and veggies.
1. Eat More Healthy Fats
Healthy fats stabilize blood sugar levels and keep us feeling full over a longer period of time.
Therefore, just by eating more healthy fats and cutting back on sugar, the body starts to use more fat whenever it needs energy.
So what are the best fats to help curb sugar cravings?
raw nuts, coconuts, coconut oil, olive oil, avocados, avocado oil and fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardine) will give you the most benefits.
2. Reach for Fermented Foods
Fermented foods, and other sour foods, are really great for turning down the volume on sugar cravings.
If you’ve ever had something like sauerkraut, you’ve probably noticed that it leaves a neutral aftertaste in your mouth.
This aftertaste naturally suppresses your longing for sweets and helps to curb sugar cravings.
Another benefit of fermented foods? They provide the gut with healthy doses of good bacteria and as a result, combat candida.
This is particularly beneficial because candida feeds on sugar and when we have excess candida, the candida actually drives us to eat more sugar.
So, by upping your intake of fermented foods, you tip the scales in the favor of the good bacteria and this naturally neutralizes your sugar cravings.
3. Pay Attention to Food Labels
Sugar is sneaky and it is everywhere.
There are obvious sources of sugar like cookies, cakes and soft drinks.
But there are also less obvious sources like tomato sauce, nut milks and ketchup, all of which can be loaded with processed sugar.
When reading food labels, look out for names like corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, sucrose and agave.
Avoiding foods that contain these sneaky ingredients will help you to naturally curb sugar cravings!
4. Use More “Sweet” Spices To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, fennel seed and cardamom all have unique sweet tastes that can be used in baked goods, coffee, smoothies, oatmeal and more.
And as an added bonus, these spices all come with health benefits that can’t be beat. For example:
- Vanilla is an antioxidant that lowers cholesterol and helps with anxiety and depression.
- Cinnamon is an anti-inflammatory that regulates blood sugar and improves diabetes.
- Nutmeg relieves pain, improves digestion and is great for oral health.
- Fennel seed is great for bloating, irritable bowel and constipation.
- Cardamom is antimicrobial, improves depression and helps relieve respiratory issues like asthma.
5. Embrace Sweet Fruits and Veggies
Nature created sweet flavors and there’s no reason to demonize nature!
Mangoes, bananas, pineapples, papayas, sweet potatoes and other sweet, whole foods are packed with antioxidants and enzymes that are great for fighting wrinkles, eczema, bloating, inflammation and much more.
High sugar fruits naturally satisfy the sweet tooth and contain the vitamins and minerals we need to stay feeling and looking young.
The best way to get the benefits of the fruits?
Eat them when they’re quite ripe because ripe fruits alkalize the body (which is much more beneficial for overall health).
6. Use Unrefined Stevia
Stevia is a naturally sweet herb that is a great sugar substitute.
Another benefits of stevia is that it has antimicrobial properties, controls blood pressure and improves diabetes.
But there’s a catch with stevia!
Most of the stevia sold on the market is refined and has a white color. This is NOT real stevia and doesn’t provide the health benefits of whole stevia.
So the best option is to buy green, unrefined stevia leaf only. You can find it as a powder or as a dried leaf. Just make sure it’s green to be sure you’re getting the real thing.
7. Get Enough Sleep
Have you noticed that you crave more sugar when you’re low on sleep and tired?
This is a perfectly normal reaction because the body craves a quick shot of energy when we’re sleep-deprived.
Being sleep-deprived every now and then happens to all of us. But beware of being chronically low on sleep because this will increase sugar cravings.
8. Get Enough Magnesium In Your Diet
Did you know that magnesium deficiency frequently leads to sugar cravings?
That’s because magnesium regulates glucose, insulin and dopamine (the pleasure/reward hormone).
So, without enough magnesium it’s easy to see why sugar cravings go skyrocket!
Dark leafy greens, avocados, raw nuts, cacao and brown rice are all good sources of magnesium.
You can also take a good quality multi-vitamin that has magnesium to give your body the nutrients it needs.
9. Avoid Drinks That Contain Processed Sugar
Fruit juices, frothy lattes, energy drinks, iced teas and soda are loaded with sugar.
In fact, the average American consumes these drinks on a daily basis, and in many cases, several times a day.
Kick this habit to the curb immediately because the added sugar feeds candida, ruins the good gut bacteria and wears out the liver.
And while you’re at it, watch out for drinks that contain artificial sweeteners. These sweeteners are linked to obesity, cancer and other inflammatory conditions.
So does this mean you have to give up all sweet-tasting drinks?
Not at all!
Things like iced tea are easy to make at home!
Personally I love to add unrefined stevia to homemade raspberry leaf tea, along with some mint or lemongrass. After it sits in the fridge for a few hours, it makes for a very sweet and refreshing tea!
And you know what’s really great about raspberry leaf tea?
It helps get rid of toxins, including excess estrogen (which contributes to weight gain and estrogen dominance as a whole).
10. Stay Hydrated
If you’re not drinking enough water, it’s easy to confuse dehydration for a sugar craving.
In general, you should drink half of your body weight in ounces of water every day. In addition to plain water, you can also eat high water fruits and veggies (like watermelons and cucumbers).
Another refreshing and tasty way to get enough water is to drink infused water (think lemon water and cucumber water). These are all great choices for keeping you hydrated and curbing those sugar cravings!
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Now over to you…how do you curb sugar cravings?
I’d love to hear about any tips and tricks that work for you.
Feel free to drop a comment!
