Sugar cravings not only wreck havoc with your waistline, but they can be detrimental to your health. Along with causing fatigue, acne and headaches, eating too much sugar can contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels. MayoClinic.com says an increase in sugar cravings is due to the amount of added sugars found in products today. While natural sugars are found in some foods, such as milk, fruit, grains and vegetables, the added sugars contribute to your cravings, extra body weight and medical issues.
Step 1
Stop eating sugary foods and simple carbohydrates. Sugar, and foods that quickly turn to sugar in your body, such as white flour, white rice and white potatoes, can cause further sugar cravings. Eliminating these from your diet can help rid you of the cravings. Eat foods like fresh fruit, whole grains, brown rice and sweet potatoes instead.
Step 2
Eat breakfast. Adam Campbell in "Women's Health" reports that your body is hungry after not eating all night; skipping breakfast adds insult to injury and can send you into craving sugar simply because your body needs food. Taking time for breakfast can help alleviate that situation.
Step 3
Consume enough food during the day; many night cravings are the result of starving yourself all day. Your body needs food on a regular basis throughout the day, preferably every three to four hours. Eating regularly will also help your metabolism to keep functioning properly while burning calories.
Step 4
Have healthy snacks planned for nighttime. It's perfectly normal to want a snack after dinner, but keeping the sugar to a minimum will help you to avoid craving it all night long. Keep carrot sticks, fresh fruit, low-fat cheese with whole-wheat crackers, low-fat yogurt and low-fat, low-sugar frozen yogurt on hand.
Step 5
Remove junk food from your house. If your willpower is useless against cookies and ice cream, then do not even keep it around. Save it for when you go out to dinner or indulge during special occasions.
Step 6
Wean yourself off sugar; if the thought of giving up sugar cold-turkey is overwhelming, it may be better to remove it slowly rather than all at once. Feelings of deprivation can lead to over indulgent behavior; try eliminating sugar from your diet for several days at a time, so it isn't about never having it, but more you just won't have it today.
Things You'll Need
- Fresh fruit
- Whole grains
- Brown rice
- Sweet potatoes
- Low-fat yogurt
- Low-fat cheese
- Carrot sticks
- Low-fat, low-sugar frozen yogurt
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