How to Stop Sugar Cravings in 5 Easy Steps

One of the biggest obstacles you might face in your life is reducing your sugar intake. Let’s face it; the most delicious things often have the most significant impact on our health. From your favourite chocolate bar to your Chinese takeaway, sugar is a tough habit to break. But what if you could eat healthier and be happier? 

 THE SUGAR RUSH

Did you know that men should consume no more than nine teaspoons of sugar a day, and women should aim for between five to six teaspoons? In reality, we consume a lot more. Take a look at this infographic from The British Heart Foundation, and you’ll see how easy it is to max out your daily intake just from breakfast!

So with manufacturers loading their products full of sugar, is it even possible to cut it out of your diet? With a lot of commitment and some lifestyle changes, you can minimise your sugar intake and enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

It’s important to mention that you will suffer from sugar withdrawal symptoms, so you do need a lot of willpower. Let’s discover how to stop sugar cravings in five steps.

STEPS, NOT LEAPS

There’s nothing wrong with starting slow, and for many people, it might be more beneficial to work towards cutting sugar out of their diet gradually. When you begin to make changes, focus on replacing high-carb processed foods with healthier options.

Weekends are always tricky when you begin a diet. If you know, you’ll struggle to cut out sugar on the weekends, stick to your new eating plan during the week and allow yourself some treats on Saturdays and Sundays.

Remember, sugar is addictive because it triggers a response in the brain. Women especially find they crave chocolate and sweets at specific points in their hormonal cycle. Sugar gives you a brief surge of happiness, but the long-term complications, including weight gain and dental issues, show the adverse effects it can have on your lifestyle.

EXCHANGING CARBS FOR FATS

There was a time when specialists believed that a low-fat diet was the key to long-term weight loss success. Today, people understand that its refined carbs, inflammatory oils and processed food that leads to weight gain and healthy fats can aid weight loss.

Processed carbohydrates give you an energy boost, but shortly after you consume them, you’ll want more. It means that you might find yourself getting into a pattern that involves eating high amounts of sugar every day, which leads to weight gain.

Healthy fats combined with protein, on the other hand, give you steady boosts of energy and make you feel full for hours. The key to reducing your sugar cravings is focusing on consuming healthy fats in abundance and avoid inflammatory fats.

When you first start to substitute fats for sugar, allow yourself time to adapt to your new diet. Make an effort to cook meals you enjoy, and don’t worry too much about losing weight at this point. Instead, think about how you’re improving your lifestyle and adopting healthier ways of eating.

Eating the right fats is vital for your success. You can check out our extensive guide on good and bad fats here.

TO BE RUTHLESS

The key to curbing your sugar cravings is to clean out your kitchen of all unhealthy snacks. Be ruthless and remove all chocolate and sweet treats, so they’re not there to tempt you. Instead of throwing your treats away, you can donate them to your local food bank. Not only will this help others, but it also makes it easier for you to part with your sugary treats.

There are plenty of healthy treats to choose from. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

• 85% dark chocolate

• Raw nuts.

• Organic beef jerky

• Guacamole

Remember, there are lots of great-tasting healthy treats to choose from, it’s about learning to accept your sugar cravings and being strong enough to let them pass with time.

STRESS

One of the most challenging things to navigate is balancing work and childcare commitments with a healthy lifestyle. You work all day, and the last thing you want to do is cook, so it’s easier to order a takeaway, right? The problem is, your favourite takeaways are loaded with sugar.

Most people struggle with going to the gym and cooking healthy meals, and high levels of stress can impact your sugar cravings. Instead of pushing yourself to do it all, look at ways you can live healthier without pushing yourself to the limit.

Make time for yourself to enjoy yoga, going for a walk in nature and even a day at the spa. Remember, your mental health is just as important as your physical health and trying to fit too much in every day, can affect your sleep.

If you want to enjoy a healthier lifestyle but don’t have the time to cook in the evening, then you can order from a pre-prepared meal provider for meal prep delivery UK. Skim offers organic meal delivery UK wide and caters for paleo, gluten-free and vegan diets.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Just like quitting smoking, removing sugar from your diet requires willpower, but the results are worth it. When you consume healthy foods, you look and feel better. There are so many conditions that are linked to a bad diet, but making changes now can reduce your risk of ill health later in life.

Let us know what works for you, or what’s stopping you from changing your lifestyle. We all have to start somewhere, and we hope that Skim as an organic meals delivered UK service can support you on your journey to a happy and healthy life.

Original Source: https://bit.ly/33AwUyH