1. Say No to Sweets
You may not see the connection, but numerous studies agree that cutting down your sugar intake can greatly reduce alcohol cravings. Because the body ultimately turns the carbs in alcohol into sugar, your body could be simply looking for another source of sweetness. If you can begin to reduce the amount of sugar the body gets on a regular basis, you can begin to curb your cravings for sugar and, consequentially, alcohol. In order to do this, you will need to steer clear of sodas, processed treats, sugary desserts and syrupy condiments.
Be careful to monitor how much fruit juice you drink as well. Sometimes food items that look healthy and harmless can carry a surprisingly hefty load of sugar; juice and dried fruit fall into this category. The suggested amount of daily intake of fruit juice is four ounces a day and a few tablespoons of dried fruit.
2. Get in a Good Meal
Eating properly is one of the keys to achieving good health no matter what the ailment. This is especially true when it comes to overcoming alcohol cravings. Oftentimes, alcohol is used to substitute an actual meal in heavy drinkers. Studies show that eating a full meal could help stave off cravings for a drink. Be sure to eat nutrient-heavy meals at least three times a day. This will ensure that your body has enough help to detoxify and maintain the liver. Eating raw fruits and vegetables may be especially helpful because of their high levels of enzymes and nutrients, which are reportedly good at quelling alcohol cravings because they stabilize blood sugar levels.
3. Cut the Caffeine
Reducing the amount of caffeine in your diet can also help tame alcohol cravings. Just like in the case of sugar, reducing the amount of caffeine in your diet can lower and stabilize blood sugar levels, which researchers have found as an effective way to tame alcohol cravings in many people. Try to cut the amount of tea, coffee and sodas you drink as well as the amount of chocolate you eat to reduce your caffeine intake. You can only indulge in about three to four chocolate squares a day before going overboard.
4. Take a Supplement
Studies have found that B-complex vitamins are especially effective in stopping alcohol cravings. According to researchers, heavy drinkers stopped consuming alcohol in association with taking niacin, or vitamin B3. Because it is also reported that heavy drinkers are lacking in vitamin B, it is suggested that people looking to stop alcohol cravings should take a daily supplement that contains B-complex vitamins. Physicians recommend that a healthy diet include 100 milligrams of B complex vitamins each day. Various other vitamins and minerals have also been found to be helpful in stopping alcohol cravings. Vitamins A, C, D and E along with magnesium and zinc are all good nutrients to include when one is looking to stop craving alcohol.
