Curb Those Sugar Cravings
This time of the year is always tough if you have a sweet tooth. With Halloween just behind us and Thanksgiving and the holidays ahead, there’s a lot to tempt you.
Three weeks before Halloween, I bought a bag of candy and it disappeared much more quickly than it should have. I couldn’t help treating myself so I finally just sent pieces of it in the kids’ lunches.
Are you dreading the holidays because of all the sugary temptations? Here are some tips for curbing the sugar cravings so you can stay on track with your nutrition.
- Freeze the Halloween candy or release it altogether. It’s more difficult to enjoy the candy when it’s frozen so hide it in the freezer and send one piece to school with the kids at a time. Or get it out of your house altogether by selling it to your local dentist. Many dentists have buy-back options as a healthier option.
- Drink more water. Often your body will tell you you’re hungry when you’re actually in need of hydration. Drink plenty of water, especially when you’re craving something sweet.
- Get better sleep. You get those mid-afternoon munchies because you’re tired or bored. With better rest, you’ll be able to say no to those office treats before you find a plate full of sweets on your desk.
- Exercise to stave off stress. If you’re an emotional or stress-eater, you need to stay active to keep the stress away. This is a particularly stressful time of year, so enjoy a family walk each evening, get together with friends for a good workout or hit “play” on your On Demand each morning. Not only will you keep stress at bay but you’ll also improve your metabolism with the workout.
- Enjoy a piece of fruit. Fruits have natural sugars that aren’t as harmful as candy and baked goods. Bring a piece of fruit to work to help curb the cravings during your afternoon slump.
- Have a protein shake. Not only does protein help fill you up, you can also make it into a guiltless treat. Add frozen fruit and greens before blending and your shake will feel like you’re cheating–but you won’t be. Even better, you can enjoy a shake at any time of the day, even after dinner when you want dessert.
It’s okay to treat yourself from time to time but the better you stick to your nutrition plan, the more energy you will have and the more confident you will be. Trust me…My Halloween candy binge doesn’t lie!
