Craving sweets seems to be part of our existence, at least for most people. But what do you do if you have diabetes and crave sweet things all the time? Well, we compiled a list of our 3 easy tips to defeat your sugar craving. Using them is likely to make life a little easier for you.
Why Do We Crave Sweet Things?
Even babies love sweet things. For starters, they taste good, and secondly, they release serotonin in our brain, the feel-good chemical. If you have diabetes, things are tricky as you have to keep your blood sugars in check at all times. That can mean cutting down or completely eliminating sweets and cakes, while also keeping an eye on your carbohydrate intake.
Nonetheless, there are ways to cope. Take a look at the following 3 easy tips to defeat your sugar craving.
1. Find Good Substitutes
If you’re really craving something sweet, opt for a food with artificial sweetener. As they have no calories or carbs, you don’t need to count them as part of your meal plan. Aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, and acesulfame potassium are viable options, while stevia is the top natural sugar substitute for diabetics.
2. Take a Step Back
Sometimes, it’s the mind that craves the sugar and not the body. So, whenever you feel a craving coming on, take a step back and try to identify a reason for your craving. Phoning a friend or distracting yourself can help to stay away from sweet things.
3. Accept Cravings and Give in a Little Once in a While
From the off, you need to realize that cravings will come and go, that’s just how it is. If you pick one sweet treat you really love, eat it, and calculate it into your meal plan. Before doing so, speak to a physician or dietician to see how you could incorporate your favorite treat into your meal plan.
Final Thoughts
So, these are our 3 easy tips to defeat your sugar craving. Try them and let us know your tricks too.