Curb Sugar Cravings

Excess sugar in the diet can cause multiple health problems including obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia and heart disease.  Many people crave sugar and find it difficult to stop eating sweet foods. You may be consuming excess sugar even if you are not adding sugar to foods or eating cakes, cookies or sweets. Sugar is  hidden in many processed foods, even foods that don't taste sweet!Sugar is addicting because it causes the release of dopamine, which is the a neurotransmitter  responsible for the reward and pleasure center in the brain. When a lot of sugar is consumed, dopamine receptors may become desensitized, which means more sugar needs to be consumed to experience the same pleasurable response. This cycle causes sugar addiction. This cycle has been shown to be similar to opioid addiction and giving up sugar can create the same symptoms as opioid withdrawal.  These symptoms include bloating, migraines, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, muscle aches, chills, anxiety and depression.To reduce sugar cravings, drink adequate water and stay hydrated. Aim for half your body weight in ounces. Additionally, include healthy fats, adequate protein and plenty  of fiber. Try a high protein snack when you are craving a piece of chocolate since it helps normalize blood sugar levels. Instead of sugar, try stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Both are natural and sugar-free!Start a probiotic since probiotics have been shown to help with blood sugar regulation and appetite control. Chromium and Brewers yeast have also been shown to decrease sugar cravings. Research also shows that L-glutamine, alpha lipoic acid, GABA, zinc and magnesium may also aid in relieving sugar cravings.