3 Things to Do When the Sugar Cravings Hit Hard

Serious Questions for you!
HAVE YOU EVER::

Investing in my health has been the best way to tame the sugar beast!

• stepped on the scale with one foot instead of two.
• licked way too much of the cake batter.
• secretly hit the snack cabinet long after the kids went to bed.
• rewarded everything with food.
• cried over everything and found comfort with food.
• let a number determine her self worth
• quit any and every diet you’ve ever been on

Did you answer YES to 3+ questions? Girl, it appears I am talking right to you. Hello my name is Katy, and I am a sugar addict.

A few months ago, I came across a book, that called me out on my sugar issue.  I read Made to Crave thinking to myself, I am so that girl. I am the girl who struggles with everything listed above.

I am starting to realize, it’s all about choice.  I’ve chosen for a long time to allow food to dictate my mood.  I have chosen to allow food to be my reward.  I’ve chosen my current situation.

And if this is what I’ve always chosen, the cycle ends with me.  It’s my choice to change. It’s a choice to crave something other than food.

So I took my book, and I prayed. I had this feeling that God was asking me to crave something other than the late night cheetohs, and the gummy bears. 

My Nutrients in a Glass!

Here are my top three tips for taming the sugar dragon! 

1. Don’t ignore the craving:

My cravings tend to hit hardest in the late evening after I finish work.  I started to notice the trend and asked myself if I was actually hungry or if the cravings meant something more.  I was beginning to realize that food was a way for me to find comfort, or to reward myself for the effort I put forth.  Instead of giving into the craving, I started pausing before I could indulge by doing three things. 

• Drink a glass of water
• Wait 20 minutes 
• Brush my teeth

By doing this I was starting to see the daily trend in my habit, and that was the key to breaking it! I realized that my cravings were deeper than than the promise of a few empty calories. More often than not, I found myself going to the Made to Crave book and finding the author speaking right to me.  Acknowledge the craving and ask yourself what am I really craving? Then find a healthier way to replace the emotion.  Can you begin an exercise routine?  Pick up your bible?  Call a friend?

Adding Workouts to the Daily Routine

2. Craving sugar is usually a sign of a nutritional deficit.

For the most part, I follow a healthy diet (and by diet, I am referring to my nutritional lifestyle).  I eat healthy and allow myself the moderate treat here and there.  Throughout the week, I find it easy to stay on track by eating 5 small meals a day that combine healthy fats, proteins, fruits and veggies.  I avoid a lot of processed food aside from the occassional treat meal. When my body is fueled by real food, my cravings subside. Bottom line, when my nutrition is off, my cravings are fierce. One of the best things you can do is load the pantry and fridge with fresh, healthy options instead of snack options. Have healthy snacks always within arms length, and fuel your body with protein!

3. Follow the 80/20 rule.

After a 25 pound weight loss, I was content with my weight and confident in my clothing,  but I knew that to maintain those results was still going to be work.  So often I work with women who had a weight loss transformation but fall off the wagon when their sugar cravings spriral out of control. Sounds familair?   Over and over they repeat the diet cycle.   By breaking through the “diet” mindset and focusing on healthier meals, I found myself able to keep off the weight for close to five years.

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