5 Ways to Stop Sugar Cravings

5 Ways to Stop Craving Sweets 

Ah, sugar. It’s like a bad friends with benefits. Always there when you’re craving some TLC but always long-gone by the morning.  

So what’s a hot snack like you supposed to do? Take back the reins, of course! Cut sugar cravings for good with these 5 science-backed tips:

Go For A Walk

Do you crave sweets in the mid-afternoon? If so, your body may actually just be tired. 

One quick way to wake up is to take a walk around the block. Studies have shown that low-intensity exercise can decrease fatigue symptoms by as much as 65% percent. 

If you’re pressed for time do laps around the office or try working at a standing desk. Anything that gets you up and moving is a step in the right direction! 

Get Your Zzzs 

Sugar cravings indicate fatigue. No surprises there! But before you skip ahead to the next tip, take a moment to actually reflect on your sleep patterns. You know, sleep. That thing you do when you’re not at work or checking Instagram. 

So...are you sleeping enough? If you’re like 1 in 3 adults the answer is likely no. Researchers have found, however, that individuals who sleep less consume up to 10 grams of sugar more per day than their well-rested counterparts. 

Improve your sleep by limiting technology before bed and meditating.  Even though going to bed early can be kind of boring your body (and your waistline) will thank you later. 

Stay Hydrated 

Before we wax poetic about the benefits of limiting sweets let us remind you of the benefits of staying hydrating: glowing skin, regulated digestion, satiety. What’s not to love? 

So this Valentine’s Day give yourself the gift of water! It aids in hunger and weight loss and is just as good for your wallet as it is for your body. It will also tell you if that pesky sugar craving is actually just thirst in disguise. 

Take A Chill Pill 

Another common culprit of sugar cravings is stress, which is basically our birthright in this high-speed and all-too-connected modern world. But how can you destress when you can barely detox? By remembering that everything, and we mean everything, occurs in tandem. 

Exercising, getting enough sleep, and meditating are all tried and true methods to improve your health. They’re the aforementioned components of well-rounded, low-sugar lifestyle for a reason! 

Prioritize Protein 

Whether you’re a meat eater or prefer a more plant-based approach we probably don’t need to remind you to eat enough protein. 

That said...eat enough protein! 

Research has shown that protein-rich meals prolong satiety and prevent over-eating later in the day. One study even found that even when two groups consumed two meals of equal caloric content the group that consumed more protein fared better in terms of weight loss, waist measurement, and their BMI. So eat your eggs or your beans, even when you want to have your cake and eat it, too. 

So, no, there is no easy fix when it comes to sugar cravings. Remember, health is a lifestyle. You can’t just text it and say “u up?” Like all good relationships, this one takes work.