Sugar is one of the most addictive ingredients in food. It makes food and drinks taste better and keeps our cravings satisfied. Sugar also contains glucose, a substance that helps the brain to function better and gives us more energy.

However, we all know the harmful effects of too much sugar. Even if you try to cut out foods that have a high sugar content, chances are there is still sugar in most of the foods we eat.

Sugar is popular amongst those who like sweet tasting food and beverage and children. If we don’t limit ourselves and control our addictions, sugar can lead to multiple health complications such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

That’s why it’s important to read the nutritional labelling on packaged food and drink. Luckily there are ways to beat sugar cravings and keeping them in check.

Here are six daily tips on how to manage and control your sugar cravings and reduce intake:

By making sure all your bodies macronutrients needs are in check, addictions to sugar or other food cravings can be overcome.

Try to stick to whole organic foods. Meet your protein, carbohydrate and fat needs. Good quality carbs and fats such as nuts, fish, seeds and vegetables will also help your blood sugar from crashing.

Get Quality Rest

By having enough rest during the day, between daily activities and enough shut-eye in the night, your body doesn’t need the extra energy it usually gets from sugar or caffeine. By being well rested, your body will have the power it needs for the day and will lessen the demand for sugar.

Do Not Skip Meals

By skipping meals, you may think you’re cutting down your calories and sugar intake. However, what you’re doing is taking away the nutrients your body needs for energy.

Moreover, by developing hunger and starvation, you’re only building up the temptation. This increases sugar addiction, not curbing it.

Try to eat three main meals a day and snack in between. Just make sure the food and drink you consume are healthy and low in sugar.

Get More Minerals In Your Diet

By eating foods that are dense with minerals such as magnesium and zinc, this will improve your blood cells sensitivity to insulin. This will help your body to metabolise and burn sugar at a faster rate.

Foods such as broccoli, seeds, nuts, and fruits can support this process. A deficiency in these minerals can lead to more cravings.

Stick To Fresh And Not Processed

Processed foods have lots of additives such as sugar, saturated fats, and extra fillers. Not only does this run the risk of weight gain, but it can lead to addiction as you don’t always know what’s going in your body when you eat processed foods.

By sticking to organic and fresh choices, you won’t be consuming harmful chemicals and additives that are usually found in processed foods.

Also, if there is sugar in fresh foods such as fruit and vegetables, they are natural sugars that the body metabolises more easily compared to refined sugar.

Manage Your Stress

With all addictions, comes great inner conflict. Though your mind and logic tell you one thing, your cravings will tell you another.

It’s important to watch your stress levels and try to keep calm. By being more focused, you can think more logically and battle your cravings and urges better.

Try to get more rest, take some alone time to spend on leisure. Drinking tea and consistent exercise are also known to bring down stress levels. When you stress less, you’ll have a better grip on combating any addictions you may have in life, and it’s the same case with sugar and diet.

Keep in mind that even with all these tips, you require discipline. Like with all addictions, by being strict on yourself is the only way to adopt new habits and curb bad ones successfully.

These tips may be simple in theory, however executing them is a whole different matter. If you’re unsure how to go about making these changes in your diet, it’s always a good idea to speak with your dietician or medical practitioner.

Head over to the Okadoc app to immediately book an appointment with your health practitioner.