Think you can't beat your sweet tooth! Our tried-and-true tips will surprise you!
Some positive changes are easier to make than others. If you have a sweet tooth, you know what I’m talking about. Whether you’re a chocoholic or a “dessert every night” kind of girl, you understand that making food choices that are high in processed sugar and fat aren’t good for your weight or your health.
You already understand that too much sugar leads to obesity and a higher risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. But excessive intake of the sweet stuff also makes some mental health conditions worse. If you struggle with depression or anxiety, too much sugar causes spikes and dips in blood sugar, which affects mood levels. Plus, too much sugar accelerates aging. It helps form free radicals, which damages skin cells, speeding up the aging process. To slash these risks, check out our tips for cutting your sugar cravings for good!
RELATED: 4 Healthy Alternatives to Diet Sodas and 5 Best Tips to Cut Out Soda Intake.
1. Go cold turkey
This can be a challenge, but it’s sometimes the best way to reboot your body. Eliminate all refined sugars for 2-3 days. You can make it a permanent lifestyle change or gradually add lower amounts of sugar back into your diet.
2. Eat fruit
From strawberries to bananas, fruits are ideal go-to foods when cravings strike. You’ll get the taste you crave along with a healthy dose of fiber, antioxidants, and other nutrients. This Skinny Fruit & Yogurt Salad is the perfect sweet tooth snack—it has only 136 calories and 0 grams of fat.
3. Eat 4-6 times throughout the day
Going too long between meals allows our blood sugar to drop, driving us to seek out sugary, fatty foods. Eat every few hours to keep blood sugar stable. Plan for healthy snacks with 50 Clean Eating Snacks or 12 Must-Have Workday Snacks.
4. Make a compromise
If you need to go sweet, combine it with a healthy food. For example, dip a few bites of banana into dark chocolate or toss a few chocolate chips into oatmeal. Just be sure to avoid store-bought trail mixes. Many brands contain too many candies and not enough good-for-you ingredients.
5. Read nutrition labels
It’s shocking to learn how much refined sugar is added to the foods we buy. How do you determine how many teaspoons of sugar are in a product? 4 grams = 1 teaspoon. The American Heart Association recommends that women consume no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugar each day. Check out Quick Tips in Deciphering Food Labels.
6. Learn your craving triggers
Have you been “rewarding” yourself with ice cream at the end of a long day? Perhaps reaching for a candy bar during a rough day at work? Sugar is often used to soothe stress or anxiety. Take note of what you’re feeling when you reach for a sugary treat. If you’re noshing to de-stress, try a healthier stress relief technique instead. Enjoy a cup of unsweetened herbal tea, take a quick walk, or hit the gym.
You can do this! Start employing these sweet tooth tips in order to look and feel better!
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