Throughout our lives we have associated sugar with pleasure. It is given as a form of reward and we consume it at celebrations. When we consume free sugars, they are quickly the easily absorbed into our bloodstream and we experience pleasure and an energy boost. But then we have a ‘sugar crash’. These make us crave more sugar and the cycle of cravings and crashes continues.
But just as we have learned to derive pleasure from sugar, it's also possible to teach our tastebuds to enjoy foods that are less sweet. This may take times but with preserverance, you can easily stick with it and master it
How can I fend off sugar cravings?
Avoid drinks containing artificial sweeteners as an occasional treat (there is evidence to suggest they increase our desire for sweet foods). If you don’t enjoy the taste of water, give it extra flavour by adding healthy ingredients such as citrus fruits, ginger or mint.
Make sure you have healthy snacks, such as nuts and seeds, at hand. These are high in fat and protein, and so are useful for keeping hunger at bay.
Craving chocolate? Enjoy small amounts of good-quality dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids), which has a lower sugar content than milk or white chocolate.
Try adding cinnamon to porridge. A sprinkle of cocoa can also please your sweet tooth.
Sugar alternatives such as stevia can be useful for sugar-free baking. Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from a plant. It is virtually calorie-free, does not affect blood sugar levels and does not cause tooth decay.
Often sugar cravings are a mental phenomenon based on the pleasure we get when we eat sugar. Distract yourself by taking a short walk, reading or listening to some music.
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