Top Reasons for Sugar Cravings

We all want a little sweetness in our lives, and by golly, we should have it! From marinara sauce to peanut butter, added sugar can be found in even the most unexpected of products. For a lot of us, we tend to rely on quick, processed foods for meals and snacks. Since these products often contain added sugar, it makes up a large proportion of our daily calorie intake if we're not careful!

Although there is a difference between moderate indulgences in high quality goodies and letting poor quality forms of sugar squeak into our daily diet and rule our life!

First of all-Why is Sugar Harmful to our Health?

• Excessive sugar intake may lead to:
• High cholesterol/Triglycerides
• High blood pressure
• Breakdown of bones
• Decreased immune function
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Nutrient depletions

What are the Main Causes of Sugar Cravings?

•Decreased energy. Sometimes we feel low on energy after eating too much, or eating sweet stuff in general. Our reaction is to eat more sweets to bring that “high energy” back. And the roller coaster begins. Sugar also saps our body of essential nutrients, because it is empty calories with no nutrients and our body needs nutrients to break down food and use it for energy, our body has to tap in to our stores for nutrients to break this sugar down- further depleting our energy levels.

•Dehydration may cause cravings.

•Too much protein (contraction) in our diet may also cause sugar cravings.

•Too little (good carbs) complex carbohydrates in your diet may also cause cravings.

•Too much salt or sodium in the diet may also lead to sweet cravings.

•Addictions/ Mood disorders. Most people that used and abused drugs or alcohol crave sugary foods and drinks. That’s because sugar hits the same “feel-good” centers in our brain that the controlled substance once did, only on a smaller scale. People that suffer from mood a disorder also tend to crave sugar because it releases serotonin for a short period of time and provides a sense of calmness. Unfortunately this is very short0lived and comes along with many unhealthy side effects like weight gain, mood swings and other problems mentioned above.

•Not enough Primary Food. Is there an area of your life that is not being fulfilled? Job, money, home, fun, relaxing, health? Take time to really check yourself and your motive for reaching for the sweet treats. Are you trying to fill a void? Trying to relax from a busy day? What’s going on in your relationships? Does eating sweets make this area of your life feel better? Discover first what you are feeling or needing, then think of ways to deal with that instead of eating.

• What is it that you are lacking, feeling, or frustrated with?
• What can you do to deal with that feeling?
• Make yourself a list of things to do when you find yourself having sugar cravings- Like going for a walk or making a cup of tea or even brushing your teeth!

You may also crave sugary foods because you are not exercising!

Since exercise gives us that boost of energy, if you miss your work out you may find yourself hitting the nearest cooking jar to get a surge of energy. Too much sugar may also prevent you from losing fat or adding on muscle!!! So a "calorie IS NOT just a calorie"! All the more reason to get our sugar intake "in-check"!

Top 10 Tips to Decrease Sugar Cravings

1. Drink enough water. When the urge hits, down 16oz of cool water!
2. Try making some “healthy” sweet foods (roasted sweet veggies), have them earlier in the day instead of trying to “be good”.
3. Decrease salt intake- Watch out for salted snacks, canned goods, and frozen meals. And don’t use that salt shaker!
4. Are you getting enough exercise? See if you crave more sugar on the days you miss that workout.
5. Eat palm size portions of animal protein.
6. Eat regular meals & snacks to keep blood sugar in check!
7. Balance out your meals with  complex carbohydrates like lots of veggies,  fruits, starchy veggies-sweet potatoes, squash, carrots  and healthy fats.
8. Is there something in your life that you’re unhappy, or frustrated with? Do you reach for those sweets when these feelings surface? Find out what it is that you are feeling, then think of ways to deal with that feeling instead of eating sweets.
9. Take 5 deep belly breaths.
10. Take a walk outside.

Have a Healthier Sweet Snack If You Must!

– One chunk of dark at least 72% chocolate with natural peanut butter or other nut butter on top (for very special occasions only)
– Fresh, whole fruit (for a warm treat, try baking the fruit and sprinkling with cinnamon)
-Leftover whole grains (i.e. brown rice, quinoa, spelt) drizzled with maple syrup and cinnamon; add almond milk and bananas, heat and enjoy warm oatmeal-like porridge
– Smoothies (protein, “milk”, organic berries)
– Frozen yogurt – freeze your own greek yogurt!
– Sweet vegetables – yams, sweet potatoes, squashes (acorn, butternut, kabocha) – score with a knife, sprinkle cinnamon on them and bake
– Dried fruit mix and a few dark chocolate chips
– Banana, split lengthwise, with nut butter spread in the middle and shavings of dark chocolate on top

Hopefully, these tips were helpful for you! This week in "The Eternity Warrior Group" on Facebook, (ps- Come join the tribe!) our Weekly Warrior Challenge is to limit sugar (from ANYTHING with a label) that we consume, to LESS THAN 20grams DAILY! Will YOU accept this challenge warrior?!!

DON'T YOU WISH YOU HAD A "QUICK" REGIMEN TO FOLLOW TO RESET YOUR BODY?

Follow THIS 14-Day Easy And Effective Challenge To:

• Kickstart your health comeback
• Help Reduce Digestive Distress
• Decrease Bloating & Gas
• Assist in Lowering Inflammation
• Lose Weight and Increase Energy

CLICK HERE to check it out! You will LOVE the way it makes you feel!