If you feel that your dessert eating habit has gotten out of control, first try to understand what is at the root of your addiction to sweet things. Frequent consumption of sweets can lead to a number of health problems and seriously ruin your figure.
The rare desire for something sweet has a good effect on the body, but if every day you consume chocolate, cakes or wafers, then there is some deficiency in the body that needs to be given attention to. It is also possible that it is a matter of a simple habit, which, however, must be eradicated.
One way to control your sweet cravings is to keep a food diary. There are other methods of controlling the urge to sweeten your life.
Ask yourself - why are you craving something sweet and why do you want to drink your tea and coffee with a few spoonfuls of sugar. Do you really want to eat sweets or is it just an emotional reaction caused by stress or habit.
Eating carbohydrates and sugar helps make serotonin, which induces a good mood. It makes you think that sweets solve your problems.
Compared to white bread and rice, the complex carbohydrates in whole grains produce a feeling of fullness that keeps your blood sugar from spiking and crashing.
That's exactly what leads to addiction to sweets. Whole grains are associated with a lower risk of diabetes and sustained weight loss.
When you have a strong sweet tooth, try to satisfy your craving with a healthier choice - fresh fruit or yogurt. Although these products also contain sugar, they are also rich in healthy nutrients – vitamins, proteins, fiber and antioxidants. Bet on healthy snacks that will not only satisfy your hunger, but also keep you full for a longer time.
Drink enough water and try to always be well hydrated. Sometimes we forget to drink water and confuse thirst with hunger. So if you suddenly feel like eating a piece of chocolate, drink a glass of water first and see how you feel. Water reduces hunger and refreshes the body, so make it your favorite drink, especially during the hot summer months.
Plan when you will eat so that you are not tempted by unhealthy desserts just because you are hungry. Eat every three to five hours and your blood sugar level will be stable. If you often skip meals, it's quite normal to need quick sugars to fill you up. This is how the constant craving for sweets and the vicious cycle of unhealthy eating is born.
Skipping breakfast is a very harmful habit that you should try to eradicate. At the beginning of the day, the body needs wholesome and healthy food to recover after a night's sleep and to recharge with energy for the coming day. If you only drink coffee or eat something fast and unhealthy, after only a few hours you will feel hungry and it is very possible to look for something sweet. Create healthy breakfast habits and you will see how your overall diet will change and your cravings for sweets will begin to decrease.
Lack of sleep is also one of the main causes of excessive sweet cravings. Scientists have proven that lack of sleep is directly related to low levels of leptin, the hormone that controls appetite, while at the same time the hunger hormone, ghrelin, increases. Make sure you get at least 7-8 hours of sleep so that your body feels good and you don't have to resort to unhealthy foods and sweets.
The following advice may seem strange to you, but it is actually very effective. Always try to flavor your food with good spices. This is explained by the fact that well-flavored dishes satisfy the taste buds and are an important step in the regulation of eating habits. Whenever you can, choose fresh herbs, quality olive oil and vinegar, if you want to go for more exotic spices.
Certain flavors like cinnamon and fenugreek are known to suppress the appetite, so experiment and see what suits your taste and needs best.
The only way to overcome your sugar addiction is to be honest with yourself. If you notice that you are consuming too many sweets, emphasize on fresh products and whole grains.
Stop keeping various sweets and biscuits on the shelves in the kitchen. If you always have something sweet on hand, it's perfectly normal to feel tempted. Replace sweets with a bowl of fruit and when you are craving sweets, just eat a piece of fruit. This way, you will eradicate the old habit of always grabbing something sweet while passing by the kitchen. Habits are learned, so try to develop healthy ones.
If you still have constant sweet cravings, you can also visit your GP. You may be making some mistakes in your diet or have a vitamin deficiency that is causing your unhealthy cravings for sweets.
