Sweet Tooth

Have you ever been told you’ve got a “sweet tooth?”

If you are a big fan of desserts, then you probably have one. The phrase has been around since the late 1500s, so obviously, humans have been craving sweets for centuries. And today many people still enjoy their desserts and that sweet punch at the end of a good meal.

But with the modern practice of adding sugar to almost every processed food, we are actually becoming conditioned to crave sweets more than ever before, which is why for others, it’s not just a bite at the end of a meal, it feels like a full-blown need for sugar! What causes sugar cravings and how can you get past them without eating a whole sleeve of cookies by yourself?

What we know as sugar cravings are caused by physiological reasons, psychological reasons, or environmental reasons. Either your body thinks it needs the sugar, your mind thinks you need the sugar, or your spouse is eating a sleeve of cookies in front of you. And if you’re like most people, you’ll satisfy the craving by eating something sweet. Of course, having too much sugar can lead to health issues like obesity, heart disease, diabetes and tooth decay. There are better ways to cure that sweet tooth.

Start by thinking about why you are experiencing a craving. Ask yourself:

• Am I tired?
  When your body and mind are worn down, the impulse is to refresh energy stores by getting some carbs. Sugar is a fast acting carbohydrate that will give you a burst of energy. Of course that boost of energy comes with the inevitable crash and you’ll feel more tired about an hour later. And if you’re someone who gets the urge for a snack before bed, the food you eat isn’t going to be used for energy so it will be stored as fat.

• Am I stressed?
  When you experience stress, your brain uses more energy than when you are calm. This causes you to think you need food. What you put into your body when you are stressed can work against you. Eating sugar when you’re feeling stressed may make you feel less drained, but if you turn to sugar every time you are stressed, you’ll raise the risk of becoming obese and the diseases that come with being overweight.

• Did I eat right today?
  When you eat a well balanced diet, cravings for sugar are not as common. But most of us aren’t eating a proper diet. We might miss breakfast, work through lunch, or just get busy and forget to eat.

• Do I need a drink of water?
  Sometimes you think you’re hungry for a snack when all you really need is a drink of water.

One important key to curbing those cravings is to eat regularly. Don’t skip meals. If you wait too long to eat you are more likely to develop cravings. Sweet foods are easy for your body to digest, so the impulse is to grab something with sugar over other foods for fast fuel.

If you checked in with your body and you still feel like you need something sweet, here are some additional ways to cut back on the sweet treats.

• Instead of eating cookies and candy for a sweet snack, stock your pantry and fridge with fresh fruit, dried fruit, and nuts. These can provide the sweetness you are craving in a healthy way.

• Try going for a walk. If you can exercise or give yourself a change of scenery it may take your mind off of the cravings.

• How about a compromise? Try having a healthy snack combined with something sweet. You can dip bananas into chocolate. You won’t end up eating as much of the sugar and the banana is good for you.

• If you really must have that slice of cheesecake or brownie, have less and take the time to savor every bite. Get a friend to share it with you to reduce the temptation to eat it all.

Obviously, it is best if you can avoid eating processed sugar altogether, but the reality is that most of us will treat ourselves to sweets from time to time, so moderation is key. By following the above advice, you can limit the amount of sweets you eat, which will help you lead a healthier life.