Find yourself craving sweets and sugary foods a little too often for comfort? You’re not alone! The latest Australian National Survey showed that more than half of all Australians consumed more than their recommended sugar intake per day. To help you keep things in check, here are 6 ways to reduce sweet cravings.
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep every night
When we are sleep-deprived, we are far more likely to crave sweets. This is because sleep deprivation alters our appetite-regulating hormones, which can increase caloric intake and makes us more likely to pick up high-sugar foods. Despite how tempting it may be to stay up late binging series, we recommend sticking to a regular bedtime to maintain your body’s internal clock. You’ll also wake up feeling your best each day as a bonus!
Create and follow a meal and snack schedule
More often than not, when people skip meals, they spend the rest of the day grazing and reaching for sugary snacks to pick themselves up. This happens because energy intake has been unstable and blood sugar levels are fluctuating. To overcome this, schedule your day to get a better picture of when you can take breaks for meals and snacks.
Make sure every meal contains an adequate source of protein
Protein is the most important nutrient when it comes to managing appetite and keeping you satisfied. This goes a long way to help reduce sweet cravings as your energy and appetite are less likely to dip between your scheduled meals and snacks. Include a good protein source at every meal, even your snacks!
Have healthy snacks ready to go
There’s nothing wrong with snacking when you are genuinely hungry. Laziness and disorganisation make us tend to reach for the most accessible and satisfying option. These options aren’t usually the most nutritious. By organising your snacks for the week ahead, you’’ll make sure you have easy access to something that tastes good, is healthy and will tide you over until your next meal.
Stay hydrated!
Often, we think we’re hungry when we’re actually just thirsty. Before diving into your snacks, have a large glass of water and then reassess your hunger levels after around five minutes. To make sure you’re always well-hydrated, fill a water bottle and carry it around with you.
Look after your mental health
Boredom is probably one of the worst initiators of sugar cravings. When we’re bored, the brain signals to the body to eat something that may trigger pleasure. Feelings of stress also make us more likely to cave into sugar cravings. Work towards keeping your mind happy and calm by taking measures to lift your mood with daily exercise, calls with friends and keeping busy with fulfilling projects.
Ladies, if you’re looking for more information related to menstrual cravings, you’ll want to read all about eating for every phase of your menstrual cycle. For more quick and easy ways to make better nutrition choices in your daily life, like our Facebook page for your daily dose of goodness.
