SUGAR CRAVINGS

FOODS TO BEAT NEW HEALTH

WHAT TO EAT TO KEEP THAT SWEET TOOTH IN CHECK

Sugar cravings can be incredibly powerful, but giving in to them on a regular basis can lead to unwanted weight gain, as well as contributing to many other health issues. So why are some of us so driven to seek out sweet treats? “Sometimes it’s biochemical,” says Dr Libby Weaver, nutritional biochemist and author of The Beauty Guide. “Our body sees sugar as a quick energy source, so if we’re tired or stressed, it can prompt us to reach out for sweet foods. Other times it’s emotional – we might eat to avoid feeling emotions that we find challenging to process or experience.”

However, eating well can make a big difference. Here, Dr Libby shares her top foods to help you ward off cravings before they strike.

WHOLEFOOD FATS Wholefood fats, such as coconut oil and avocados are incredibly satiating and provide a sustained energy source, which means we feel full for longer and don’t get the same highs and lows we do from consuming sweet foods.

LEAFY GREENS Our tastebuds change, so the more bitter foods we consume and the less sugar we consume, the more our tastebuds will shift to prefer fewer sweet foods. If you eat sugar when you’re feeling stressed and depressed, try adding more leafy greens such as silverbeet, kale, spinach and mustard greens to your meals every day.

DATES Dates are nature’s sugar. They are a wonderful alternative to processed sweets if we feel the sugar cravings hit. One or two with a handful of nuts is a great way to get a sweetness hit with a whole host of nourishing minerals.

PROTEIN Protein is an energy source that, like wholefood fat, acts on the satiety centre of the brain more rapidly than carbohydrates /sweet foods. Ideally, we should have a combination of wholefood fats, protein and carbohydrates (including vegetables) with most meals. Aside from animal proteins, eggs contain protein, as do nuts and seeds. Wholegrains, such as brown rice, also contain some protein. Additional vegetarian sources of protein include legumes, beans and quinoa.

DARK CHOCOLATE A good source of antioxidants, this can be a good alternative to milk chocolate as it’s generally bitter and you’re satisfied with less. Look for 70 per cent cacao content and upwards.

HERBAL TEAS Many herbal teas are naturally quite sweet. Liquorice tea in particular is a great after-dinner tea, especially if this is when you tend to experience cravings.

BANANA Bananas are a rich source of potassium and other essential minerals. Although fruit contains fructose (also known as fruit sugar), small amounts go a long way. Use bananas to naturally sweeten smoothies or make an alternative to ice-cream by blending frozen berries and frozen bananas in a food processor. Bananas also combine well with nuts, so try half a chopped banana with a handful of raw nuts as a snack.

SWEET POTATO Sweet potato is a whole real food so it is a nourishing choice to include as part of a meal. Try roasting it with a small amount of coconut or olive oil plus a pinch of cinnamon to enhance its natural sweetness.