Addicted To Sugar? Here's How To STOP Sugar Cravings

‘Addicted To Sugar? Here’s How To STOP Sugar Cravings’ – Monica May

The one thing I struggled the most with on my fitness journey was how to stop sugar craving.

And I really believe that this is one of the main reasons why it’s so hard to stick to a healthy diet.

I know sugar cravings were a real struggle for me.

I think sugar was the one thing that was preventing me from getting my dream body for sure.

Sugar cravings are actually driven by your brain’s need for a “reward” not your body’s need for food.

That’s the main reason why sugar is considered addictive because sugar actually works as an addiction.

Just think about all those times you promised to yourself you’ll have just one bite, but ended up finishing the whole chocolate.

That’s not on you to blame. That’s on the chocolate.

And you are not alone – we are all there on the struggle bus.

But how to stop sugar cravings ones they kick in, and can we prevent them from happening in the first place?

Yes, we can!

Follow my 10 steps to kick that sugar addiction and finally manage those frustrating cravings once and for all.

Let’s get started right away!

How To Stop Sugar Cravings

1. Eat more protein

The deficiency of protein can lead to sugar cravings.

This is mainly because the body looks for a quick energy source.

And protein is great for satiety, and it may help with your cravings as well. Plus, it will help you stay full for longer which also helps in the craving situation.

So the first step in my ‘how to stop sugar cravings’ guide is increasing the protein intake, to reduce the sugar cravings.

I included protein powder in my diet and it worked amazing for me.

2. Reduce The Intake Of Artificial Sweeteners

The taste, whether artificial or real, will not help reduce future cravings.

It’s really important to realize that a craving is not the same as hunger.

It’s not your body calling for energy, it’s your brain calling for something that releases a lot of dopamine in the reward system.

We have to look at it as an addiction. Should you reach out for a cigarette if you are trying to quit smoking?
Of course not.

Not only artificial sweeteners will not help you crave sugar, but they may trigger your cravings even more.

Here’s how:

Also, beware of hidden sugars that might be inside the foods you consume on a daily basis.

Here’s a list of the 56 Different Names for Sugar.

3. Always Have A Healthy Snack On Hand

Hunger is one of the biggest reasons why we experience cravings.

Especially those moments when we get extremely hungry, it’s more likely that we reach out for a fast energy load up.

To avoid this, always have healthy snacks close at hand.

Rather it’s apple slices with almond butter or hummus with carrot sticks.

By being prepared, and avoiding long periods of hunger, you may be able to prevent the craving from showing up at all.

4. Stop Eating Highly Processed foods

These often come with added sugars, even for foods that you wouldn’t expect.

In my nutrition guide, The Hungry Fit Girl, I dedicate a full chapter for processed foods and why you should stop eating them, alongside a list of the foods that contain hidden sugars and artificial sweeteners.

Starting from all kinds of dips, fruit yogurts, “healthy” labeled bread, energy bars and all kinds of packed foods with tons of ingredients.

They all contain fast digestive sugars and carbs, that won’t help you keep full.

Instead, they’ll just make you crave even more.

Toss them all aside and turn to raw foods, with simple ingredients.

5. Be More Active

I find myself craving mostly on my lazy days, especially on Sundays.

This is actually that one day of the week I want to completely rest and recover to get ready for the week to come.

However, this is the day I feel the lazies and usually end up watching Netflix all day long.

And it’s a fact that a sedentary lifestyle can actually make you more tired and lethargic, which leads people to look for quick energy sources.

Staying active, exercising daily, doing yoga and taking long walks will feel amazing on your body and mind, lowering your cravings to a minimum.

Doing my workout program has helped me so much in both staying fit and kicking those sugar cravings.

Head on to check it out here: Burn Baby Burn Workout Program.

6. Eat a Balanced Diet

A diet filled with clean proteins, lots of fibers, healthy fats, greens, and complex carbs is essential when quitting sugar and reducing those sugar cravings.

A healthy, balanced diet plan will help you get healthy, long-lasting energy, and will keep you full and away from cravings for longer periods of time.

Filled with flavors, colors, and diversity, because too much of one flavor, can lead to a low level of dopamine which brings out those sweet cravings.

And my Burn Baby Burn meal plan will take you there, so head on to check it out right now!

7. Be Careful With Fruits

Yes, fruits are natural, and yes they are healthy, but they contain a lot of fructose.

And, at the end of the day, fructose is still sugar. Not a healthy form of sugar, because sugar is simply sugar.

The only thing that makes fruits healthier than other forms of sugar, is the fact that they contain lots of fibers which makes them digest a bit more slowly.

However, that doesn’t change the amount of sugar you will intake.

So, you should be careful with fruits and avoid eating more than 2 pieces of fruit a day.

Also, always look for fruits that contain less water and less sugar.

8. Eat Sweet Veggies

Starting with carrots, sweet potatoes, podded peas, beets, and sweet bell peppers…

The varieties are endless.

These sweet veggies will provide a nice dose of sugar without spiking insulin, which means fewer cravings.

9. Shop Wisely

You’ll eat what’s in the fridge, so make sure to shop healthy.

That’s why in my meal plan Burn Baby Burn, I give you weekly shopping lists to shop by, to make sure you don’t buy a bunch of unhealthy foods and store them into your pantry.

Another tip, never EVER go to the supermarket hungry.

Grocery stores are probably the worst places to be when you are hungry or have cravings.

I found myself thousands of times reaching for an unhealthy snack or junk food I want to eat as fast as I get out of the store.

Supermarkets give you easy access to pretty much any food you could think of and they are usually the places where the unhealthiest foods are at eye level.

The best way to prevent cravings from happening at the store is to shop only when you’ve recently eaten.

10. Reward Yourself

And last, but not least, reward yourself.

This is definitely one of the most important things when it comes to stopping sugar cravings.

Rather it’s a snack or certain food that feels like a reward, or maybe buying something nice for yourself.

For me, the reward is my favorite hazelnut butter.

I literally have my hazelnut butter in those timings when I would have had my desert.

Whatever works for you best, do it. Reward yourself on a daily basis for how hard you’re trying.

Now Let’s Kick Out Those Sugar Cravings!

I hope I helped you learn how to stop sugar cravings for good and start a healthier lifestyle overall.

Include at least a few of these steps in your daily diet, and you’ll get there in no time.

You can check out my Nutrition Guide for more info and guidelines.

Also, my 28-Day Burn Baby Burn Meal Plan will help you get your macros on point and get the body of your dreams.

Till next time!
xo,
Monica