10 Ways to Stop Sugar Cravings + 10 Healthy But Sweet Foods

Do you know what time of day it is? It's that time again.

You know, the witching hour when all your hard work comes to a screeching halt and you find yourself standing in front of the open refrigerator door thinking about what you'd like to eat right now.

Well, don't panic!

There are things you can do to stop sugar cravings.

First, let's look at some of the things that contribute to those cravings. Then you can discover new ways to battle back!

Why We Get Sugar Cravings

We crave sugar because it is a carbohydrate, and the body needs carbohydrates to survive.

Carbohydrates are our bodies preferred source of fuel.

Sugar cravings can be brought on by low blood sugar, which occurs when your body does not have enough carbs readily available to burn as energy.

Low Blood Sugar and The Craving/Satisfaction Cycle

The craving increases because eating carbohydrates causes an increase in blood sugar levels, and this, in turn, decreases craving.

This craving/satisfaction cycle continues until blood sugar levels reach a normal or healthy level.

Dehydration and Fatigue

Sugar cravings can also be brought on by dehydration and fatigue.

If you feel like you need sugar, drink plenty of water and get some rest (ideally 8 hours). Once the craving has gone away, stick to healthy options for snacks.

10 Ways to Stop Cravings For Sugar

1. Get Enough Sleep – When you are tired, your craving for sugar increases because the body is craving energy. Getting enough sleep gives you enough energy so that you don't crave sugar as much.
2. Exercise – Exercise improves energy levels and mood. Once the craving has gone away, stick to healthy options for snacks.
3. Eat Healthy Foods – Eating healthy gives you more energy and keeps your blood sugar levels more steady throughout the day. If you begin craving sweets, eat fruit as this is a healthier option than refined sugars such as candy or chocolate. I'll list the 10 best fruits below.
4. Cut Out Caffeine – Caffeine is a diuretic, which means that it causes the body to lose water. The craving for sugar increases because without enough water in your system you need more carbs to give you energy.
5. Cut Out Alcohol – Alcohol is metabolized like fat, but its first use is as a carbohydrate. This means that the craving for sugar increases because the body is craving carbs.
6. Drink More Water – Dehydration can cause cravings for sugar, or make them worse if you are already craving sweet things. When you feel like you need a drink, try water first as this will satisfy your craving and keep you hydrated.
7. Take Vitamin B – Vitamin B can help you to eliminate sugar cravings.
8. Create a Support System – Sugar craving is often triggered by boredom, stress, or depression; having people who understand and support you means that it's easier to stick to healthy habits.
9. Eat More Fat – Eating fat does not cause an insulin spike like carbohydrates do, which means that the sugar craving reduces.
10. Take Chromium – Chromium is a mineral that reduces sugar craving; look for chromium supplements in your grocery store, drugstore, or on Amazon.

Fruit- Natures Dessert

Why use fruit to handle cravings?

You can use fruit to manage sugar cravings because fruit has a lower glycemic index than sugar and fruit contains vitamins and minerals that your body needs.

When fruit is digested, it turns into glucose, which is the fuel for our body, but the fruit takes longer to digest than refined sugars such as those found in candy or chocolate.

This means that fruit gives us more sustained energy without spiking and dropping our blood sugar levels, and fruit is full of health-boosting vitamins and minerals.

Is dried fruit high in calories?

The Best Fruits To Stop Sugar Cravings

1. Strawberries have a natural sweetness, but they also contain erythritol which can help to suppress cravings.
2. Avocados are full of healthy dietary fat that is good for hormones and keeps you feeling satiated. They are also high in fiber, potassium, B vitamins, vitamin E, C, K, and folate.
3. Lemon juice helps to alkalize the body, which is important for hormone balance.
4. Blueberries are a natural anti-inflammatory as well as being high in fiber, vitamin C and manganese; all of these help with sugar cravings.
5. Raspberries not only taste great and can satisfy your sweet tooth, but they contain good levels of dietary fiber and vitamin K.
6. Bananas are rich in potassium and B vitamins and low on the glycemic index (GI), which may help to prevent those mid-afternoon sugar cravings.
7. Apples are high in pectin, which reduces the amount of sugar absorbed, and they are high in ursolic acid (found in apple peels) that sends signals to cells to stop storing fat. Check out Green Apples for Weight Loss.
8. Oranges contain vitamin C for healthy neurotransmitter activity, B vitamins for energy and pectin for breakdown and elimination, all important when it comes to stopping sugar cravings.
9. Star fruit contains a natural laxative that can help during sugar cravings, and they are high in dietary fiber which the body needs to move waste through efficiently.
10. Dark cherries contain anthocyanins, antioxidants that help with inflammation reduction, good for both your body and mind!

Bonus Round:

There's an often over- looked fruit that's sold in your local supermarket or fruit stand that can curb sweet cravings and have powerful implications on your health, and your waistline. Not to mention, they're damn tasty.

I'm Talking About Plums

Plums are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants which can help speed recovery after a particularly grueling workout.

Studies also show a possible connection between increased antioxidant intake and lowering incidences of certain health issues.

Gogi, Noni, and Acai Berries

Most of the press about antioxidants lately has been about the exotic newcomers to the market–the gogi, noni and acai berries.

These are usually sold as expensive juice blends at local health food stores and through multi level marketing businesses.

A compelling story about where they come from and how hard they are to obtain is usually what marketers use to rationalize the jacked up price.

Although these berries are packed with the goods, why not just head to the local market and pick up a bag of fresh plums, which come for a fraction of the price and pack an antioxidant punch on par (if not more) than another superfruit–the blueberry.

Plums can fit seamlessly into your weight loss program as well (you can check out our FREE Carb manipulation Protocol here).

A medium, ripened plum contains about 40 calories with 2 grams fiber.

Plums are a great snack if you're dieting because they're low in calories, contain a nice amount of fiber, and best of all- crush cravings for sweet foods.

With the warm weather coming up they can also make a juicy and delicious dessert on a summer day!