Tips for Handling Sugar Cravings

Lowering your sugar intake is among the best things you can do for your health. It can 
lower your cholesterol, help you lose weight, give you clearer skin, help manage Type 2 
Diabetes, and give you more energy. But cutting back on sugar can be tough, especially 
in the beginning. When you first cut back your sugar intake it may seem like your sugar 
cravings are all you think about. Breaking a sugar habit is hard to do through willpower 
alone; here are some tips to help you curb cravings.  


Don't Keep Temptations in the House  
 
Keeping sugary foods around the house makes breaking a sugar habit harder. Nobody 
has unlimited willpower; you can only say no to that chocolate bar so many times before 
you give in to temptation. It's easier to say no to sweets once at the grocery store than 
to say no to sweets fifteen times at home. By removing the temptation from your home 
you reduce the amount of willpower you must exercise on a daily basis and set yourself 
up for success. 


Eat More Fruit  
 
Fruit is great for satisfying your sugar cravings without eating processed sugar. 
Although fruit does contain natural sugar, it also has plenty of fiber which helps control 
your blood sugar levels. However, the natural sugar fruit contains does add up so it's 
best to limit your fruit intake to 2-3 servings per day.  


Don't Deprive Yourself Completely  
 
Going cold turkey on sugar does work for a few people but for many, it leads to a sugar 
binge. In order to avoid this binge, allow yourself to have a couple of portion-controlled 
treats each week. The key to stopping at just one sweet treat is to focus on quality over 
quantity; instead of buying a large bag of cheap sweets, have a slice of cake from a 
bakery or a bar of your favorite chocolate. If you're seeking to completely cut out 
processed sugar, reduce your sugar intake gradually. 


Get Some Exercise  
 
When you exercise, it reduces your stress levels. This is important when cutting back on 
sugar because high stress-levels may lead you to reach for sugary foods. The exercise 
doesn't have to be strenuous to have a positive effect, even a brisk walk can help 
reduce your stress levels and keep you on track.  


Learn to Distinguish Cravings from Hunger  
 
When you have a craving you may feel like you are truly hungry, but this isn't always the 
case. You may be seeking out a specific food because you're stressed, bored, or upset 
rather than because you are truly hungry. To determine whether you are truly hungry or 
simply having a craving ask yourself if you would eat something like eggs, carrots, or an 
apple or if you only want sugary foods. If the answer is that you only want sugary foods 
find something to take your mind off of eating until you are truly hungry. 

