How to Manage Your Sugar Cravings and Take Control of Your Sweet Tooth

What should you do when your sweet tooth is a monster and those sugar cravings are getting out of control? Should you resist the treats all together? Or eat lighter, sugar-free versions of them? What’s the best strategy?!?! Well, let’s find out…

Having a sweet tooth and dealing with sugar cravings can be bruuutal...especially during the holidays when you’re constantly surrounded by sweets.

You might not realize it, but the health recommendation for adults is to have no more than 40g of sugar per day. Anything beyond that negatively impacts your health in a multitude of ways, not to mention your body composition.

Deep down, we know this. Right? I’m sure we’re all aware that having a cookie or a candy bar is not doing our body any favors. Yet, we still indulge...we still want that candy for breakfast.

So while your goal should not be to totally avoid sugar, it’s important that you put some strategies in place to help you manage your sweet cravings, so that your body can work the way it’s meant to.

Today, we’re going to talk about some really helpful tips that will help you manage that sweet tooth, so that you don’t accidentally go overboard and feel the effects.

1. Pinpoint your favorite thing.
2. What’s your absolute FAVORITE type of treat? Probably, if you have a sweet tooth you like it all. But, I’m sure you like certain things more than others.
3. It could be the thing you tend to call your “weakness”.
4. Figure this out…really think about it. Once you identify “your thing”, let that be your go-to sweet treat and pass over all the other not-so-awesome treats. And make sure it’s the real deal!

For me, I like chocolate, specifically dark chocolate that’s a little salty and crunchy. It must have that texture. Even plain milk chocolate is not that awesome to me. So, when I’m presented with a bunch of treats, if it’s not a good, yummy dark chocolate, I practice saying no. I know that other treats will not fully satisfy my cravings, so it’s not worth it.

2. Have a little every day.

1. Consider this “training”.
2. Most women need to break the all-or-nothing mentality because it inevitably leads to binging on candy or cookies at some point.
3. If you have a sweet tooth, let yourself have a little bit of your favorite thing every day in a controlled fashion. It could be a small package of gummy bears nibbled on throughout the day. It could be one square of rich, dark chocolate. It could be your morning coffee with the peppermint creamer. Have your thing, and then savor the heck out of it.

3. Don’t eat treats mindlessly.

1. Our boys do this all the time - they get some candy or a treat and shove it all in at once and it’s gone in 5 seconds.
2. Eat your treat slowly, fully enjoying the flavor, texture, and sweetness. Practice the art of nibbling
3. If you slow down, you’ll most likely need to eat less to have the same satisfying effect.
4. Notice how it makes you feel.

4. Make yourself full of the good stuff. This comes down to the core of what I believe about good nutrition. Think about what you should be eating in abundance!

1. Eat full meals at regular mealtimes (don’t skip or restrict!) and fill up on PRO’s.
2. When your stomach is full and satisfied, you will naturally have less room for sweets and treats.
3. Over time, your body will feel so good when you eat these foods that you won’t desire overly sweet foods anymore.

I used to have a major sweet tooth I struggled with Halloween candy, treats & pastries, and mochas. What really worked for me was to slow down and notice how sugar was really making me feel. I pinpointed my favorite thing and I said no to the rest. And I have a little bit of my favorite thing every day.

Your Action Steps: Pinpoint your favorite thing, plan to have a little everyday, don’t eat it mindlessly, and always make sure you filled up with the good things first.

There will inevitably be moments that you indulge in sweets more than you planned. But what’s most important is that you don’t allow one treat to spill into another, and then another. Catch yourself in those moments, redirecting and refocusing your thoughts. Return to these tips and get right back on track. No guilt, no shame...just move on.

Ok, we want to hear from you, especially if you have a sweet tooth: What is your absolute favorite type of treat, and what are the kinds of treats you can live without? Shoot me an email at megan@vigeofit.com or on Instagram @megandahlman and let me know!

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More Resources:

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• The FREE Body Type Quiz

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