Sweet tooth sabotage
SO, YOU’VE been healthy all day – you had a smoothie for breakfast, a salad for lunch, and salmon and vegies for dinner. But just as you settle down in front of the TV after dinner, those Ben & Jerry's cravings kick in and threaten to undo all your hard work. If this sounds a little too close to home, don’t let your sweet tooth sabotage your productive efforts. Here’s exactly how you can kick those sweet cravings to the curb.
Break the habit
So often we crave a snack after dinner purely out of habit. We have become so used to having something sweet each night that our body expects it – like it’s a part of our regular routine.
My tip is to break the habit by replacing it with a healthy behaviour that is just as comforting to you as gobbling down a few squares of chocolate. Whether you take a bubble bath or listen to your favourite podcast, find something to distract yourself until the cravings pass. Trust me, after 10 minutes of keeping yourself busy, your need for something sweet will start to subside.
Balance is everything
Take a look at what you eat throughout the day. Are your three meals balanced, or are you being too restrictive and this is causing you to feel deprived and desperate for something sweet after dinner? If this is the case, you might not be getting enough nutrients throughout the day.
Focus on getting three balanced, satisfying meals and snacks if you need – making sure that each meal is packed with enough good fats (avocado, nuts, olive oil) and lean proteins (eggs, fish or chicken).
Brush your teeth
Give your teeth a good scrub after dinner and even try some mouthwash, too. I know it sounds simple, but trust me, it’s totally effective.
Sub in a healthy alternative
For those times those sweet cravings are simply too hard to resist, go for a healthy alternative that will satisfy your sweet tooth without sabotaging all of your hard work.
A herbal tea with ½ teaspoon of coconut oil, or a liquorice tea, can put sweet cravings to bed. Or if you need something a little more substantial, a handful of berries, a homemade bliss ball or a piece of dark chocolate should do the trick.