Sugar cravings are normal for people who enjoy desserts and sweets. Here are 10 Foods that can fight sugar cravings and help you lead a fit and healthy lifestyle.
I have been trying to stay off sugar lately. It’s Hard. It’s darn hard for a dessert lover like me. Science says women are likely to have more sugar cravings than men! There are times when you feel a strong urge to eat something sweet and you end up eating cookies, chocolates, cakes, sweets, treats and if not anything sugar candies! Which of course means more calories and weight gain!
While it’s best to stay off sugar or rather the excess sugar that we are so used to in modern times (read colas, junk foods etc.) you can always find alternatives that will satisfy these sugar cravings without actually consuming sugar-laden products!
10 Foods That Can Fight Sugar Cravings
Fruits
Swapping sugar-laden junk foods – like donuts, brownies, chocolates with any healthier alternative is perhaps the best idea. Fruits are naturally sweet but they also contain antioxidants and fibers which are beneficial for your body. Berries, bananas, grapes mangoes have natural fructose but also are good for your skin hair and health.
Yogurt
Yogurts are rich in protein and calcium. They are a good snack option – specially Greek Yogurt that will keep you full longer. Try the Strawberry Greek Yogurt Breakfast Bowl for a healthy breakfast or an evening snack.
Dates
Dates are naturally sweet and highly nutritious. They are also a great source of iron and fiber. Dates can also be used as sugar substitutes in baking – did you know that? You can get your sweet- fix from a couple of dates and they are definitely better than sugar! Pick up a bunch of dates when you get your next sugar cravings.
Chia seeds
Chia seeds are very popular now. They are a good source of omega3 fatty acids and soluble dietary fibre. They are so versatile you can add them to your smoothies, desserts and yet get a lot of health benefits. The soluble fiber in chia seeds absorbs water and swells up to form a jelly-like substance in the gut. It keeps you fuller longer and curb sugar cravings.
Sweet potato
Sweet potatoes are not just carbs but also rich in fiber, minerals, potassium and vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin C. Add sweet potatoes in your meals to satisfy that sweet craving. The Carrot & Sweet Potato Soup is hearty and rustic and gives you enough nutrients.
Smoothies
Smoothies are a good breakfast or snack option when you are in a hurry. You can add your favourite fruits and yogurt to make your power smoothie. Fruits have natural sugars which satisfy your sugar cravings. Fruits combined with thick yogurts in return provides beneficial nutrients.
Add whole grains and seeds in smoothies like oatmeal, chia seeds to make the smoothies healthier.
Try the Strawberry & Oatmeal Breakfast Smoothie or the Kiwi Ginger Banana Smoothie
Prunes
Prunes or dried plums are sweet and full of iron. Snack on prunes when you have sugar cravings. Prunes have naturally occurring sugar alcohol sorbitol which is absorbed by the gut slowly.
Vegetables
There’s nothing more important than fresh vegetables in your diet. Having vegetables regularly improves your metabolism and lowers health risks. While vegetables directly can’t reduce an immediate sugar craving, but regular vegetables in your diet will satisfy your hunger and keep you full longer. Make a Vegetable Stew with Lentils or have a Roasted Vegetable Salad for lunch to keep yourself fuller for long.
Whole grains
Whole grains like quinoa, oatmeal, rye are great for your gut and general health. They keep you full for a longer period and curb hunger pangs and sugar cravings. Oatmeal is so versatile – you can enjoy them in various things like the Oats Omelette, Wholewheat and Oatmeal Cookies, Oats and Banana sugarless, butterless cookies and many more.
Sugar-free chewing gums
Chewing gums made with artificial sweeteners gives you the taste of sweetness minus calories.
Next time you are trying to resist your sugar cravings, try one of these foods and see how you can avoid sugar and substitute it with something healthy. Dates, prunes, smoothies, whole grains are my choices to deal with sugar cravings.
Oh I love dates … they usually are so sweet that you can never any any more sweet. Great options 🙂
I love me some sweet potatoes. And dates. And I agree that it does control the sweet tooth. Pls do a post on Diet Coke alternative:(
Dates is Favourite from the list. And it’s good for Diabetic too. Though I’ve never try sugar free chewing gum.
Just about time for this post – I have recently reduced my sugar intake. But Cravings are big time killer – now I know what can shut those up.
Egg & Oats Omelette that’s new, I am going to dig for recipe of that.
Thank you so much for this. A wonderful article for people like me
I have food cravings and to curb it is a big challenge. Your post just comes in handy. I will try more fruits and vegetables and smoothie is the best.
I do eat chewing gums sometimes to curb my sweet cravings. I am a sweets lover too but never tried oats or eggs for it. Next time I will try dates.
I agree to all that is said and will also plan to remember or may be bookmark it. But I always believe a person needs to have a mental makeup to stop something 🙂
I like dates and kishmish as natural sweetners a lot.A good selection of items .
Dates are an all time fav sweet tooth satisfying snack. Oatmeal rye and Quinoa are great hunger busters but they keep you fuller for longer.
I feast on most of them…so ask me.. 🙂
Thanks for the lip licking post
UK
Ooo yes Sweet Potato! I love roasting some and having it in the fridge when I get a bit snacky!
Laura || http://www.thelifeoflaura.com.au
Chia seeds keep you fuller for longer, curbing sugar Cravings. Dates are naturally sweet and again have fibre. Similarly fruits for breakfast is another way to add sweetness without consuming sugar. The sugars in fruit usually fructose are easier to break down for our body VS sugar consumed
I so needed this. I have a lot of sugar craving. Will try this for sure.
Good post and ideas to help fight off those sugar cravings! Fruits and veggies are certainly the way to go. I make batches of smoothies every morning, varying the types of fruit I put in them. Funny, I’ve never really developed a taste for dates, prunes, or raisins, for some reason. I do like grapes, though – I’ve seen them referred to as “nature’s candy,” so those do help when the urge strikes for something sweet to eat.
I am reading your post while having a sugar craving . Let me eat some fruits. Thanks for the sharing the recipes . I was planning to make oatmeal & wheat cookies. Will try out your recipe.
That’s an awesome list! You have given me a lot of alternative’s as I have a sweet tooth.
You are heaven-sent as this is what I really needed. I was asked by my doctor to cut down on sugar and it has been a challenge. Luckily I have some dates and chia seeds available. Thank you for sharing this.
I’ve got such a sweet tooth too! Chia is really good and I love smoothies to curb cravings
Dates are my number one go to for sugar cravings. So glad they made the list!
Fruit is my favourite to combat sugar cravings!
Great list! For us, part of cutting out sugar or at least limiting was finding healthier alternatives to it. We were kind of forced to when dad was diagnosed with diabetes a few yard ago. I’m definitely going to add a few from your list to my compilation.