How To Kick Your Sugar Cravings

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- You've gone through your kitchen and tossed out all processed foods. You've stocked up on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. But you're still craving sugar.

That sweet tooth can be hard to bust, but there are a few simple strategies you can use to help kick sugar craves.

The key is to keep your blood sugar levels stabilized throughout the day. Sports nutritionist Sherry L. Granader put together four basic tips for FitDay.com that work to do just that.

Don't Skip Meals

If your blood sugar drops too much or sky rockets, it will make you crave that soft drink or sugary doughnut for a quick fix.

Make a point of eating complete meals that combine 40 percent carbs like fruits and veggies, 30 percent protein and 30 percent fat like olive oil and nuts, nut butters.

If you eat a meal with nothing but carbohydrates, they'll be digested quickly, which spikes your blood sugar. Protein and good fats will sustain blood sugar and prevent cravings for sugar.

Beware Of Low-Carb Diets

When you don't fuel your body with enough good carbs, your body will crave nutrient-dense foods. And if it doesn't get them, cravings for sugar will take over.

Remember, there are good carbohydrates like fruits, veggies and whole grains and bad carbohydrates like highly processed foods.

Avoid Starting With Sugar

Sugar makes you crave more sugar, so don't start your day with it. Sugar can also stimulate your appetite, so the more you eat, the more you'll want.

Find a healthy substitute to appease your sweet tooth like a fruit and yogurt parfait.

Don't Eat Emotionally

You know that feeling: "I've worked really hard. I deserve some ice cream."

Stop soothing emotional problems or stress with sweets. We're exposed to stresses every day and though you can't always prevent it, you can support your body with good nutrition to help you handle the stressful situations.

Reaching for cookies, caffeine, and sugar will make things worse by causing more aches and pains, indigestion, and excess body fat which lead to more health problems.

Find other ways to deal with stress like taking a yoga class or learning to meditate. Take a walk or listen to relaxing music. In other words, take time out for you.