There’s just something satisfying about biting into a fresh donut first thing in the morning. Our brains love sugary snacks because they release dopamine, which leads to feelings of happiness. But that sensation can be an addicting one that makes it hard to stick to healthy habits throughout the day. If you find ways to curb sugar cravings this holiday season and beyond, you’ll lower your sugar intake and feel healthier on a regular basis.
Don’t Put Sugar on a Pedestal
When you adopt healthy habits, it becomes less of a problem to occasionally have an off meal where you indulge your sweet tooth. But it’s important that you don’t use these cheat meals as an incentive to eat better. This creates a reward imbalance that can give sugar-rich foods more power over you even after you lower your sugar intake.
By the same token, you may not want to cut sugary snacks out completely so as to make them feel like something forbidden. If you choose to have a donut before the Monday morning meeting, treat it as a rare exception that you can work around throughout the day with better eating habits.
Eat Filling Meals
Sugar cravings can come from feelings of hunger, and the best way to combat this is to eat meals that leave you feeling satisfied. Having a filling but well-portioned lunch can give you more consistent energy to get you through the last hours of your day without feeling the need to hit the vending machines. If you do like to snack, consider swapping out candy and sweets for nutrient-rich alternatives like fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts and legumes, and low-sugar jerky.
Curb Sugar Cravings with Fitness
Feeling the sudden urge to eat a bag of candy to power past the mid-afternoon doldrums? If you make time during the day to stay active, you can get a similarly positive reaction in the brain as you would from eating sugar. A good, long walk at a brisk pace or a quick workout in the weight room can give you that same positive energy as eating sugar, but with more net health benefits and no jitters or crash.
Lose Weight with Livingston County Chiropractic Center
When you adopt healthy habits and curb sugar intake, you could see the pounds melt away in a matter of weeks. If you’re looking for an effective weight loss program in Pontiac, IL, consider our Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method. It’s one of the many great services offered at Livingston County Chiropractic Center in the name of helping our patients feel better and do more.
