What can I do to not crave sweets?
The sweet taste is addictive, so any sweet taste will prolong the craving or drive. Sugar is just the most plentiful sweet we have, and we are surrounded by it. It is present in almost all social gatherings, and it is quick and easy to take on the run. Even fruit may be sweet enough to maintain the cravings.
As with any addiction, the longer you stay away from it, the less control it has over you. But, also like any addiction, the first bite brings back all the cravings again. It all starts with a decision that you won’t have any more. That’s the first and hardest step you will ever take. Then you need to figure out what to do in the future. Here are some suggestions:
1. Take your own non-sweet dish to the party
2. Always have nuts or a snack with you at all times to eat when you have no other choice, and the temptation is great.
3. Find like-minded people to associate with that will provide support.
My doctor says I can get all the vitamins and minerals I need from my food. What is your opinion on this?
I used to say the same thing to my patients, back in the days before I studied healthy alternatives. It is the party line of allopathic medicine, although that is starting to change. Here's the bottom line, and I'll follow up with some info on what allopaths are now doing:
4 responses so far ↓
1 Tiffany // Sep 2, 2010 at 6:58 am
I have found that balancing all of the 6 flavors helps with sweet cravings.
They are sweet, salt, sour, bitter, pungent, and astringent. This is taken from Ayruveda if you want more information you can find it online.
2 Janet // Sep 2, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Thought I should share with you that refined sugar (as you buy in the grocery store) contains chemicals that are purposely addictive. Stay away from refined sugars and risky artificial sweeteners, and eat foods sweetened with natural organic sweeteners such as Stevia, sucanat, raw sugar, etc. which you can purchase from a health food store.
Also plan your food for the day to include fruits, nuts and other healthy snacks so you are not tempted. I found out years ago that I was allergic to sugar and learned by trial and error that I felt much better without it. You just have to fight the temptation by thinking of something else!
3 Dr. Stan Gardner // Sep 4, 2010 at 10:55 am
Tiffany, Janet, Great comments. Thank you for sharing. Perhaps by expanding our horizons of taste to the bitter and other tastes we may not enjoy, but are good for us, it will reduce the drive for sugar. And the fruit will be all the sweet taste we need.
4 Sara // Sep 6, 2010 at 8:03 pm
I found that when nuts didn’t work to satisfy the sweet craving, that it was very helpful to have an apple or other fruit to quickly snack on before I lost the control and found something unhealthy to eat. I have diabetes and this helped to even out my blood sugars. Also, my sister-in-law went on a protein diet for about a month. She wasn’t allowed to even have fruit. She had protein shakes and vegetables and some meat. Although I am totally against this type of diet, it did take away the sweet cravings. She is now on a very healthy wholistic food plan and has lost almost 30 lbs.
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