Sugar Cravings? These Foods Help You Keep Resolutions

Did you know only about 8 percent of us will keep our New Year’s resolutions throughout the year? In fact, statistics show by the second Friday in January – which was January 10TH this year – most people have abandoned their lose weight, stop smoking, or hit the gym plan. So, if your plan was to eat a little healthier in 2020, we have some helpful tips to get you back on track.

Sugar cravings hit us all, but they seem especially strong when you’re making an effort to avoid high-sugar foods. So, use food as a defense when you’re trying to skip the cookies and cake.

Avoid Sugar Cravings

• Don’t skip meals. Whether it’s a busy schedule or wayward attempt at eating less, skipping meals will trigger your body’s need for energy. It’s easy for us to interpret that signal as a desire for sugar. To avoid grabbing the empty calories of a candy bar or sugar-loaded soda, make sure you’re eating balanced meals throughout the day.
• Eat good sugar. If you have a chocolate tooth, there’s good news, you can indulge (slightly). Quality dark chocolate is the fine dining of sweets. Look for dark chocolate made with at least 70 percent cocoa. Go for dark chocolate squares or dark chocolate covered almonds to satisfy your craving and still stay on a healthy track.
• Increase fruit intake. Fruits have natural sugars that can give you a sweet taste without throwing your blood sugar into the stratosphere. Bananas, grapes, and cherries are good options when you need a healthy snack. You can also try a dark chocolate hummus and strawberries for an alternative to processed sugars.
• Freeze your Greek yogurt. Individual containers of Greek yogurt kept in the freezer are a portion-controlled frozen delight. Skip the kind with the fruit at the bottom and keep in mind that frozen yogurt is not the same as freezing Greek yogurt.
• Try raw nuts or nut butter. A tablespoon of nut butter can go a long way when it comes to curbing sugar cravings. If you choose raw nuts, go for almonds or walnuts. Add in a few dark chocolate chips, and you have a delicious trail mix.
• Snack on apples and peanut butter. Apples have a natural sweetness, while peanut butter adds a creamy texture and smoothness that will help cure your craving. Plus, the peanut butter adds protein to your diet, giving you the energy to make it through the afternoon lull.
• Focus on portion control. At the end of the day, there isn’t a piece of fruit that’s going to replace your craving for Rocky Road ice cream. Rather than deprive yourself, enjoy a few spoonfuls of what you really want. A ½ cup of ice cream is enough to settle your sweet craving and still allow you to continue on your healthy path.

Don’t let sugar cravings throw your focus off. You can use food as an ally instead of hiding from it. Whether your diet consists of meals cooked at home or fine dining options in Pawleys Island, everything in moderation will lead to success.