Eating healthier can be difficult when you have sugar cravings that you can’t ignore. Fortunately, there are many foods that can make this process easier. Put the candy away and replace them with any or all of these delicious snacks, toppings and meals to make your house a healthy home.
While foods like pastries, desserts and candy are full of sugar, you may not realize that some other popular snacks also contain hidden sugars – granola, breakfast cereals and protein bars, just to name a few.
These snacks may provide a quick rocket-fuel energy boost, but can often cause you to crash at the end of the day.
Why is it impossible to control your desires?
The first step to regaining control of your sugar cravings starts with understanding why you have them – and there are many factors at play.
We have a variety of reasons for sugar cravings, from hormones to habits to the psychological impact of seeing a delicious donut or a bit of caramel. The preference for sweet foods is innate. This means that our sugar cravings are deeply ingrained from childhood.
Scientists’ hypothesis seems to be that the presence of sweetness is a way to identify digestible carbohydrate sources and, more importantly, a glucose-based energy. The evolutionary drive to nourish the body is powerful and difficult to overcome, so don’t be discouraged if you’re struggling to reduce your sugar intake – know that it’s not worth it to eliminate sugar from your diet altogether.
Because humans have a sweet tooth, it’s hard to skip sweets altogether, and doing so can sometimes lead to feelings of deprivation and sometimes even to overdoing it when one finally does eat them.
What to eat when you want to eat sugar
Apricots and almonds
Dried fruits and nuts can help you enjoy a healthy snack on the go.
Apricots provide carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and minerals. Almonds provide fiber, protein and healthy fats. Unlike many dried fruit varieties, they do not contain any added sugar.
When you put the two together, you can now fuel up with apricots and then fuel up with almonds with One serving includes three dried apricots and 12 almonds.
Sea Salt
A healthier form of salt, this unrefined salt is packed with minerals and trace elements that will keep your body energized. As a seasoning, a pinch of sea salt will bring out the flavors you add to any dish, so feel free to use it as a sugar substitute in smoothies.
Peanut butter and an apple
For some reason, it’s a tried and true favorite. A small apple with peanut butter not only tastes good, but it’s good for you, too.
And make sure you eat the skin of the apple in addition to the flesh inside. You will get two types of fiber, you will get insoluble fiber from the outside and soluble fiber from the inside.
Then slathering on 1 tablespoon of peanut butter will add protein and healthy fats. But it’s important to note how much peanut butter you’re actually using.
Many people like to keep adding peanut butter to their apples and they end up with a 500 calorie snack, but if you keep it to 1 tablespoon and a small apple, then you’ll be consuming less than 200 calories.
Quinoa
This nutrient-rich grain is both a great way to stop your sugar cravings and a great way to add some variety to your diet. Your sugar cravings may be the result of a magnesium deficiency, so eat some more quinoa.
Cheese and blueberries
As far as fiber is concerned, berries are one of the best fruits, especially blueberries, which are a fiber-rich fruit, and they are also convenient because you can buy them frozen.
They are also a great source of fiber-rich carbohydrates. Add one cup of fresh or frozen blueberries to 1/2 cup of low-fat cheese.
Low-fat cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein, and it contains almost no carbohydrates, which is why you want to consume a sufficient amount of berries for energy now.
Mashed beans and raw vegetables
A cup of raw vegetables such as carrots, celery, broccoli and bell peppers can add some variety to your afternoon snack, while providing many benefits as well.
Vegetables contain a lot of fiber, along with plenty of vitamins and minerals, and if you eat different colors of vegetables, you’ll get many different phytonutrients that provide additional health benefits.”
Pair your choice of raw vegetables with ¼ cup of mashed beans. Mashed beans contain a little fiber, a little protein, a little carbohydrate and some healthy fats.
And overcome the desire to pair mashed beans with pita chips or crackers. Vegetables are the key here.
By eating pita chips or crackers, you’ll consume more carbs and less fiber.
How to stop sugar cravings？
Balance your diet
Make sure that every meal you eat (including breakfast and lunch!) contains protein, vegetables or other healthy carbohydrates and healthy fats. This will make you feel fuller for longer and stabilize your blood sugar.
Identify your favorites
Figure out what you like to eat so you feel satisfied – not deprived – at the end of the meal. It may help to keep it simple and choose two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners, and get those ingredients ready so you can stay consistent.
Conclusion
While there are delightful staples to eat, gradually instill healthy eating habits, explore recipes, eat vegetables and fruits you’ve never tried before, or combine different ingredients into new dishes. By changing what you eat each day, you may find a new and delicious dish while also curbing your sugar intake, making yourself thinner and getting better skin.
