How I Kill a Sugar Craving
January 9th, 2013 | Author: Alysha
I am addicted to sugar. As much as I wish this weren’t true, it is what it is. Although I’ve had some success in lessening the habit, there still isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t have at least a small piece of candy.
Mmmm, dirt pudding (the light version)
To satisfy my sweet tooth without going overboard, I will try making healthier versions of typically fattening desserts by substituting low-fat ingredients. Other times I will make mini versions of the foods I love — like peanut butter and jelly mini cheesecakes.
This leads me to my next point…how to kill a sugar craving. As I researched an article I wrote for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on dried fruits and vegetables, the dietitian I talked to said dried fruits make an excellent substitution for sugary desserts. Although they recommend people eat fresh fruits instead, she did say people usually end up more satisfied after eating dried fruits because the flavors are more concentrated.
Lately I’ve been snacking on dried pineapple and mango at work as an after-lunch treat, and it really helps! Here are some other tips I’ve learned throughout the years to calm my sugar addiction:
- Fix yourself a hot mug of tea with a teaspoon of honey
- Brush your teeth!
- Chew gum or grab a mint
- Put on lipstick, which sounds silly, but you don’t want to mess up your lips :)
This list is obviously a work in progress.
SHARE: What do you do to get your mind off of sugar? Do you have any tricks for giving in but in a healthier way?
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I always like to have something sweet after dinner, even if really small, so those mini cheesecakes and PB balls would be perfect! I love all your recipes!
Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie recently posted..A Recap of 2012
I’m glad I’m not the only one who needs a little something!
Alysha recently posted..How I Kill a Sugar Craving
These are some great tips! I tend to have gum or brush my teeth. Another option is to leave. Walk away. Better yet, go for a walk.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Setting the Tone for a New Year + Amazing Kitchen Mistakes
Walking is a great tip. Exercise in general seems to kill my cravings.
Alysha recently posted..How I Kill a Sugar Craving
I actually think gum really helps too!!!
Corrie Anne recently posted..Dear Nike, I Love You Too!
This line of logic has given me a gum craving too. I’ve been known to eat 5 pieces in one sitting!
Alysha recently posted..How I Kill a Sugar Craving
Ugh, sugar. I’m totally addicted. I agree with the brushing your teeth tip!
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake recently posted..WIAW – Weekend Edition
I really should get a toothbrush at work…
Alysha recently posted..How I Kill a Sugar Craving
I am having a hard time getting off the sweets since the holidays and scrounging after every meal for a piece of chocolate. Chris left for the grocery store last night and I joked for him to come back with a chocoate cake. Good thing I’m back on the Zumba bandwagon as I’ve fallen off the dessert wagon.
I agree, more sweets makes you want them more. Habits breed habits!
Alysha recently posted..How I Kill a Sugar Craving
I’m a huge sugar person too. I’d eat an entire bag of gummy bears rather than dinner sometimes. Throughout the day to curb sugar cravings I drink tea or coffee and a lot of water! Or, I’ll try to distract myself by going out for a run or staying really busy. When I’m busy, I forget!
Brigitt @ Cook With B recently posted..Soy and Sesame Kale Chips
You’ve got to be kidding me! I’ve been known to eat popcorn for dinner, but never just sweets.
Alysha recently posted..How I Kill a Sugar Craving
Love this post!! I am doing the cleanse right now, and I am craving chocolate a lot. I find smoothies to be a really good killer of sugar cravings, they are filling too but can be nice and sweet, especially if you add a banana. Love the idea of dried fruit!!
Alissa N recently posted..Cleansing Drinks
I do love smoothies, but sometimes I get hungry no matter what is in them because I’m not chewing anything. I can’t help it, I love to chew!
Alysha recently posted..How I Kill a Sugar Craving
Don’t hate me, but I actually don’t have much of a sweet tooth. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some sweets, but I don’t normally crave it. I didn’t have a lot of sweets growing up as a kid (not even cereal) so maybe that’s why?
Maybe that’s something I can help you on with health coaching? :)
Brittney @ Brittney Breathing recently posted..List Lovin’ Thursday
Yes please! That shoule be No. 1 on our agenda. Maybe you can give me some insight into my psyche!
Alysha recently posted..How I Kill a Sugar Craving
Oh man! I wish I had something to contribute to this but you listed all my tricks, plus some I didn’t know about! My sweet tooth is out of control too. Usually brushing my teeth or chewing gum helps the most.
Carol @ Lucky Zucca recently posted..Thankful Thursday
Well I’m glad I gave you something you could use!
Alysha recently posted..How I Kill a Sugar Craving
I try to eat fresh fruit when I have a sugar craving. The more fruit I eat, the more I would rather have fruit.
Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More recently posted..Cards, Spinach, Bangs & Water
I was so worried about missing sugar when I started my cleanse last week, but it has been so much easier than I thought it would be. I think it’s partially due to the supplements I’m taking, partially due to eating more fruit, and partially because I was just ready. I was so sick of the way sugar was making me feel, I was so sick of my pants fitting too snuggly and I know that sugar wasn’t helping. I think that, with anything, you have to be ready to give it up. Of course, giving up sugar completely would be a horrible crazy thing to do, but maybe you just have to be ready to get rid of it in your daily life and make it more of a treat?
Trisha recently posted..AdvoCare Update
Thanks so such an inspiring comment, Trisha! I agree with you 100%. Thinking about it that way makes it easier to just let go.
Alysha @ Shesontherun recently posted..The Icebreaker is Here
Gah! I’m obsessed with these types of tips because I deal with sugar cravings all day, every day.
Brushing my teeth helps a lot, though!
Alex @ Brain, Body, Because recently posted..Meal Planning