By The Fitness Studio Inc.
With Sponsored Content by Sugarbreak
87% of Americans are trying to eat less sugar, but the average person eats almost 3x the daily recommended amount.
1) Acknowledge that most foods are created to be addictive it’s not your fault if that's what you're craving. Sugar is the most popular ingredient added to foods in the U.S., and that’s not a coincidence.
Not only do our taste buds naturally enjoy it, but eating sugar releases opioids and dopamine in our bodies, associating sugar with reward, a high, and compulsive behavior regardless of the repercussions.
2) Small, sustainable changes that can make a big difference:
Rather than just quitting cold turkey, add more fruit into your diet or some sugar alternatives including Maple Syrup, Honey, Brown Sugar, Coconut Sugar, and Dates to name a few. Check out the link for even more options! https://foodrevolution.org/blog/sugar-substitutes/
Incorporate meditation or regular exercise to help reduce stress, and thus reduce sugar cravings.
Adding in more protein to help you feel satisfied after meals and stabilize your blood sugar, which reduces cravings for more sugar.
Aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep to help keep your hormones in check and avoid fatigue-provoked hunger & cravings.
3) Most importantly LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! Often sugar cravings stem from other stimuli, so start asking yourself a few questions before caving. Have you had a meal recently? Are you running on very little sleep? Are you bored or feeling blue?
Keying into where the craving is coming from helps us to recognize our own habits or patterns that may be setting us up for failure, while also giving us insight into what our body really needs.