Sugar… we hate to love it, but that sweet goodness is not easy to kick. If you struggle with sugar cravings you are not alone, on average, Americans are consuming about 57 pounds of added sugar every year (you read that right). That is a lot of sugar! Studies estimate that up to 90% of the adult population may experience food cravings, these cravings are often for sugary foods. But why? Scientists have long believed that craving carbohydrates and other sugary foods is driven by a desire to boost your mood, consuming sweets increases serotonin levels in your brain and who doesn’t want to feel better? Sugar cravings can also come from a magnesium deficiency, micro and macro nutrient deficiencies, and gut imbalance. Whatever the cause, it is worth the work to cut back on sugar.
Below we are going to give you our top ways for kicking those cravings and boosting your serotonin without the use of sweets.
Listen to your body
Because craving sugar can come from the desire to boost your mood it is important to listen to your body and find out WHY you are craving sugar. Are you stressed, tired, bored, lacking energy, or is it that time of the month? Once you know the cause you can do something healthy instead of reaching for a sweet treat to cope.
Balance Your Meals
The more sugar we eat the more sugar we will crave. Sugar is often hidden in our foods and we consume it without even knowing it (hello pasta sauce and condiments). The best thing to do is make sure you are checking ingredients, cutting out processed foods, and eating balanced meals. Don’t forget to include plenty of healthy proteins, fiber, and fresh vegetables and fruits.
Don’t Skip Meals
Skipping meals leads our bodies into craving fast fuel and drops our blood sugar. When we get over hungry, sugary snacks become a quick fix. So make sure to eat 3 balanced meals daily and include healthy protein snacks like nuts, Greek yogurt, smoothies, eggs, chick peas, and veggies.
