Sugar: why we crave it and what to do about it
Have you ever had what feels like an overwhelming urge to indulge in something sweet? Youโre not the only one!
Sugar cravings happen for a range of different reasons.
Why we crave sugar:
- Not enough sleep โ If youโre sleep deprived, youโre a lot more likely to turn to sugar for extra energy to get through the day
- Stress โ High stress levels can cause you to reach for a quick mood boost (aka that lovely high you get after eating sugar)
- Not enough food โ If youโve skipped a meal, your blood sugars can dip which makes you crave food of any kind, but especially food that gives you quick energy
- Addiction โ If you find yourself reaching for sugary treats when youโre not even hungry or tired, itโs possible that your body is in the habit of eating sugar and you might just be addicted
Tips to satisfy your sweet tooth without over-indulging
The solution to sugar cravings is simple, but not always easy (especially when youโre a busy mum). Get more sleep, keep your stress levels under control, eat regular, healthy meals, and try to resist the craving for long enough to create better habits. But what about when youโre short on time and sleep because #mumlife?
Donโt worry, youโve got this, mumma! Hereโs what you can do to battle the sugar cravingsโฆ
Find other ways to feel good
If you find yourself reaching for sugar when youโre stressed or bored, find a substitute. Go outside for a walk, watch a funny show on TV, call up your friend, slather on a face mask, or do something creative. Itโs healthier than popping sugar into your body and will make you feel better both instantly and long-term.
Banish unhealthy snacks
If your pantry has a shelf of processed foods or treats, you might want to do something about it. As long as theyโre in your house, youโll probably feel the temptation rise. So clean out your pantry and focus on replacing those foods with healthier alternatives, fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, wholegrain baking, and fruit-filled weight loss smoothies.
Eat healthier sweets
You can still eat sweet food when you crave sweets! Luckily, there are plenty of healthier alternatives that will make your body feel good โ and theyโre fresher, cheaper, and more filling than processed sweets. Yep, weโre talking about fruit. You should always have a selection of in-season fruit ready to eat or blend up in a weight loss smoothie, so you can enjoy delicious good-for-you sweets without the side effects.
Eat your meals on time
If youโre hungry, why not eat a proper meal instead of reaching for a snack? Youโll get a better range of nutrients and proteins and youโll feel full for longer. If you find yourself craving sugar at a certain time of day, maybe itโs a sign you need to move your meal times around so you get a boost of energy from good food right when you need it. Experiment with your healthy meal plan to see what works for you and your body. And try ourย slow cooked lasagne soup ASAP!
Treat yourself to a Healthy Mummy Smoothie
Indulge in a Healthy Mummy Smoothie and enjoy the sweetness without the sugar! We love the Gingerbread Man Smoothie from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge with some fresh banana on top. Yum!
Are you ready to kick-start your weight loss?
Want to shift your baby weight but feel like you have NO TIME in your day to exercise and eat healthily? Thatโs where the Healthy Mummyโsย 28 Day Weight Loss Challengeย can help.
Our Challenge entails:ย
- 28 days of at home exercise routines (no gym needed) โ with video instruction
- Customisable and breastfeeding friendly meal plans
- Time-efficient exercises for busy mums โ under 30 mins
- Challenge combines Pilates exercises with interval and circuit training (HIIT)
- Suitable for basic to advanced fitness levels.
- Home to thousands of EASY-TO-MAKE recipes.
To find out more about joining theย 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge for ยฃ1 click here.
PLUS โ connect with THOUSANDS of other mums on theย 28 Day Weight Loss Challengeย by joining ourย free support community here