HEALTH SPECIAL...Beat that sugar craving

Beat that sugar craving

Is it just a habit? We often eat certain foods just out of habit. If you always end your lunch with a few pieces of chocolate, there may be days when you don’t really crave it but eat it anyway. Think about a bad habit you want to break and ask yourself how difficult it would be to break away from it. If you can’t, trade it for a healthier option like jaggery instead of chocolate. Over a period of time, you will be over it. Are you thirsty? Our bodies often mistake thirst for hunger. Having a glass of water at the end of your meal helps to prevent any further cravings as it signifies the end of your meal to your brain. Cut back refined carbs Eating foods that contain too many refined carbs causes your blood sugar to rise and drop equally dramatically. This is going to cause your energy levels to yo-yo and you will end up craving more sugary foods. If you want to end this vicious cycle, gradually switch to foods containing more complex carbohydrates that are high in fibre such as whole grain flour products instead of refined flour products This will stabilise your blood sugar level and allow your brain to make wiser choices. Focus If your brain is constantly focused on the foods you are not allowed to eat, these are the foods that your mind will crave and that you will eventually reach out for. Instead, focus on the things that are healthy for you and you will teach your brain how to look away eventually. Eat before you are actually famished If you wait to reach the point when you are starving, your brain is going to demand simple sugars and it will become physically impossible to make a healthy choice as your brain’s only energy source is simple carbohydrates (sugars). Don’t wait to reach this point of hunger. If you know that you usually get very hungry by 5pm have a small snack by 4pm. You will be surprised by your own self control after that. Dieting is about options and not restrictions. Diet consciously with the aim of improving your lifestyle and realise that making better food choice is really your prerogative. Do it simply because it is good for you. Samreedhi Goel is a nutritionist and personal trainer.

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