What can I eat to avoid sugar cravings?

1. 91

   VirginiaLynneposted 11 years ago

   What can I eat to avoid sugar cravings?
   
   I've lost weight on MyFitnessPal and Naturally Slim but want to keep that weight off.  How do you avoid those sugar cravings?  I'm especially looking for ideas of foods that I can eat which might satisfy my hunger but not make me want to eat more.
   
   

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2. 79

   Georgina_writesposted 11 years ago

   I eat Lindt dark chocolate with 90% cocoa solids.  It's very 'dry' and strong, so one square is enough.  Each square has only 1.4g carbs 90.7g sugar).  Alternatively try sugar free gum.

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      renegadetoryposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      FYI, I don't know that she should eat that considering she is trying to lose weight and one serving of that chocolate has 84% of its calories come from fat!

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3. 61

   renegadetoryposted 11 years ago

   Foods high in sugar, salt and fat are the ones that make your body want to eat more of it because it causes a temporary "high" in your brain when you eat those foods.  Eating unprocessed, whole foods will not cause the same reaction.
   
   You might want to stop eating foods that spike your blood sugar and keep sugar per serving under 5 mg. 
   
   Refined sugars, over processed foods, white flour, etc., these contribute to increased blood sugar. 
   
   You can also eat something bitter (like kale) or sour like grapefruit or  fresh lemon in water.  This will cause you stop craving something sweet too.
   
   Also, do not drink soda pop, especially diet pop, it is notorious for making your body crave junk food like sweets!

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      Sophia-LeAnneposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Is this a cut and paste? you posted this on someone else s question?

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      renegadetoryposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      How is this a cut and paste?

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4. 82

   CarNoobzposted 11 years ago

   I've found the best way to reduce sugar cravings is to eat sugar...just sayin'. lol
   
   Seriously though, some people say that allowing yourself a little treat can reduce the cravings, but the opposite always happened for me.  That's like telling a crack addict that when the cravings come, just have one hit and you'll be fine.  Or telling an alcoholic that one little drink won't hurt.

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      Nancy C Mooresposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      yes, so true, me too, I find fruit the best fix.

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5. 61

   artist101posted 11 years ago

   Foods high in glutamine, an amino acid, will help to curb sugar cravings. They will also help to stabilize blood sugar levels. I used the supplement form for a very bad case of hypoglycemia, that just wouldn't subside, no matter what i ate, or did.The foods highest in glutamine are eggs, nuts, fish, and meat, and they will stay with you longer. If you need something sweet, Stevia is a natural sweetner with no calories, and can be substituted for regular table sugar. Carbs turn into sugar, as they break down and make you want more setting up a vicious circle, refrain from simple carbs, and calories, stick with whole foods, closest to there natural state, unprocessed. Natural fats are also a way to avoid the sugar trap, again they satisfy you, and stay with you longer, do not cause an insulin spike. Present in nuts, and seeds, snack on them instead. Pecans, cashews, ect. kept in a bowl out in the open. Grab a hand full when ever a craving hits. Don't go a long time with out eating. Eating 6-7 small meals, helps to stabilize blood sugar as well, that way your not looking for a fix when sugar levels start to drop out, and bingeing on anything that gets in your way. Good luck, its a hard habit to break.

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      rosikaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Some great ideas here!

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      artist101posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      thank you, you too

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6. 76

   rosikaposted 11 years ago

   Sugar is really addictive and breaking this habit is really difficult.
   However if you are determined and try foods that contains complex carbohydrates, you might be able to beat this craving. The aim with all this food is to keep the sugar level normal in your body so your body doesn't crave for sugar. Examples of some of those foods are below:
   Wholegrains :brown rice, buckwheat, oats.
   Fruits :Orange, apricots, plums.
   Vegetables: Spinach, carrots, cucumbers.
   Legumes: Black beans, pinto beans.
   I have also written hub about how to stop sugar cravings if you want to read more: http://rosika.hubpages.com/hub/How-do-I … r-Cravings

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7. 69

   visionandfocusposted 11 years ago

   If I'm craving something sweet, I'll go for fruits like a banana or preserved figs with no sugar added. If I'm craving something crunchy, I'll go for a handful of nuts--a mix of walnuts, pistachios and almonds. Otherwise, I'd have an instant miso soup (there's one with no MSG and no GMO soy) and that's really comforting in the winter. It's also surprising how filling soup can be. I also love nori seaweed but that's not everyone's cup of tea. Or a handful of edamame like they serve as appetizers in Japanese restaurants. They're yummy and surprisingly filling when you have more than a few.

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8. 68

   MarieAlana1posted 11 years ago

   I have found that drinking a lot of water, fasting, and eating fruit help me to avoid sugar cravings.

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9. 73

   Abby Campbellposted 11 years ago

   Food cravings usually come from the brain as a nutrient is missing from your diet. The best way you can avoid cravings is by eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. Make sure all your meals and snacks include a protein, carbohydrate (veggies and fruit are best sources), as well as essential fatty acids. Many times, dieting will cause cravings. As a nutritionist, I recommend one of two supplements: (1) r-alpha lipoic acid, and (2) chromium. Either of these will surely help stop the cravings. Good luck!

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10. 66

    lupineposted 11 years ago

    I have heard that chewing on a small piece of cinnamon stick will help the sugar craving go away. Try it, next time you want something sweet, see if it works for you. The other advise I can give is, don't deprive yourself, use self-control, have a small piece, occasionally. When you go a long time without eating something you really want, you may eat a lot and ruin your wieght loss. Don't eat any low fat or low calorie desserts either, they will not satisfy you and you will want to eat more...in the long run, more calories will be consumed. I went to a nutrition class years ago at a local hospital to learn to eat better/make better choices. Don't consider this a "diet", but a life style change in eating.

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11. 61

    boomer19posted 11 years ago

    I really don't think that it's possible to actually avoid sugar cravings. The body wants what the body wants. You should just fight through it. I don't live by any 24 hour stores so when I'm craving sweets after 10 and there isn't anything in the house I just have to deal with it. I'm no expert but, as an alternative food idea you could try some of the super fruits like acai. It has many health benefits like weight loss and is sweet enough to kill your sugar craving.

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12. 61

    Sophia-LeAnneposted 11 years ago

    Fruit! It's sweet and healthy. Or you could brush your teeth. The feeling of a clean mouth is said to deter sweet cravings.

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13. 77

    cassandraleaposted 11 years ago

    Eat before you are hungry. When you crave sugar, its already too late and your body NEEDS energy now. Use fresh fruit and veggies simply through the day, and a steady counter top feed buffet, with nuts, seeds, even honey coated if you wish. Add in dried fruit and keep those healthy snacks handy!

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14. 76

    Cantuhearmescreamposted 11 years ago

    Personally, I have such a sweet-tooth and poor self-control so I can relate to issue. I see a lot of people suggested fruit and that was my initial thought, but gum works great for me as well. I don't mean to use gum as a substitute for a meal. However, I have been chewing whitening gum for a couple of years, just to combat any staining over time. I noticed that when I am chewing gum I am distracted from cravings. I usually pop a piece of gum when I am out and about and if I'm still chewing after I get home, eating doesn't even occur to me. Yet, on days that I'm not popping a piece of gum or I get rid of my gum, I have an urge to put something else in my mouth and it's either sugary or salty.

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15. 60

    reddviewposted 11 years ago

    well the best advice I can give is just drink water regularly.... often we feel dehydrated and our body gets a lil confused and sends hunger signals to our brains while its only thirst..... so once you are fully hydrated....you will have less craving for eating anything let it be sugary food or spicy
    hope this link helps too
    
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/51046 … or-thirst/

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16. 60

    Frugal1posted 11 years ago

    My boyfriend and I both have sugar cravings, he's so bad that he will wake in the middle of the night to eat doughnuts or whatever is available. I recently purchased some raw honey from a local vendor, it's blackberry raw honey and its sweet and amazing! It also has some health benefits, when I crave sweet I now put the honey on toast and sprinkle a little cinnamon on it. Another idea is using it in oatmeal, it fills you up and satisfies that sweet tooth, also taste great on apples! My boyfriend now gets up in the middle of the night and eats a spoonful of honey, no more doughnuts!

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       artist101posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Sounds more like hypoglycemia, than just a sweet tooth, shouldn't be waking up. The cinnamon is a great idea, as it does help to stabilize glucose levels. Forgot about that one.

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17. 0

    paxwillposted 11 years ago

    try melons.  they are sweet, but made mostly of water.

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18. 72

    indingposted 11 years ago

    You might be lacking calcium. Eat calcium rich foods, like raw sesame seeds (soaked), raw almonds (soaked) or dandelions. Just a small quantity provides enough calcium to stop the cravings.

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19. 67

    Get Thin for Goodposted 11 years ago

    
    
    If you crave sweet things, it could be an indication that you are not eating enough fruit. Try upping your fruit intake and you will see that the sugar cravings subside. Give it about 2 weeks to see the difference. Eat as many different types of fruit as possible, and eat them on an empty stomach.
    
    I would also suggest that you increase your fruit intake but keep eating what you are eating so that you don't feel deprived.
    
    As you increase your fruit intake, you should notice that you begin to not crave the usual sweet things you normally include in your diet.
    
    Hope that helps.

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20. 83

    Mrs Jil Manningposted 11 years ago

    I keep a bowl of couscous in the fridge, I add olive oil, garlic, lime juice, ginger, raisins, sundried tomatoes, chopped raw peppers, cucumber, celery and sunflower nuts.  It tastes sweet, and is full of nutrients and its always handy. Give yourself time and stick at it, and soon your healthy diet will even out your cravings for sugar.  I find that weight training and cardiovascular exercise makes my appetite for healthy foods go up, and my cravings for sugar go down.  Have a nice cup of herb tea and honey instead of coffee, as caffeine highs and lows tend to make you want to eat a cake with your drink!

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