Healthy ways to deal with your sugar cravings

DO you crave sugar? When I say sugar I mean sugar that is added to your food rather than naturally occurring sugars. White sugar, maltose, dextrose, high fructose corn syrup and many other sugars are added to almost every food that we eat. Added sugar creates havoc with blood sugar levels which need to be kept under control in order to prevent obesity, metabolic disorders, diabetes, and health conditions including heart disease and Alzheimer disease.

Read the ingredient list for added sugar. Lots of people say to me that they don’t eat sugar but forget about the sugar in ketchup, biscuit, sauce mix, crisps, juice or yoghurt–it’s everywhere.

Here are some tips that can help you curb your sugar cravings:

Protein can help you feel full for longer and slows the breakdown of simple carbohydrates. Aim to have some protein with each meal. And eat small meals at regular times which include complex carbohydrates and fibre to keep blood sugars balanced.

Include a supplement if you need to and you’ll be well on your way to breaking your addiction to sugar.

Cinnamon can reduce sugar cravings by controlling blood glucose levels. This minimises insulin spikes after meals that lead to more hunger and consuming even more sugar. Cinnamon tricks your body into thinking you’ve had sugar!

Chromium helps improve blood sugar control in some people. It can normalise blood sugar levels, improve blood sugar utilisation, and decrease insulin requirements in patients with glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Viridian Chromium and Cinnamon Complex, and Patrick Holford Cinnachrome contain both of these nutrients.

Magnesium When you crave sugar and in particular chocolate it can be a sign that you’re deficient in this important nutrient and supplementation can normalise these cravings.

Probiotics provide good bacteria for the gut and are required to keep the correct balance between the good and the bad bacteria. Sugar feeds the bad bacteria increasing your sugar cravings. Increase your levels of good gut bacteria and avoid sugar to win the battle in the gut.