Firstly, we have to understand why we crave sugar in the first place.

Well,  sugar cravings are mostly caused by the  brain, triggering a response from the body to consume sugary treats.

Here are some possible triggers that causes sugar cravings:

1. Eating sweet treats increases  serotonin, a.k.a the  happy chemical, in our brains. So, when we feel down or bored, our brains, driven by a desire to improve our moods, induces sugar cravings which can be hard to fight off.
   
2. An imbalance of hormones, such as  leptin (which  inhibits hunger) and serotonin, can also cause food cravings.
   
3. If you are experiencing  stress at home, on the job, or in your relationships, you may seek  comfort from food. Given sugar's effect on your feel-good hormones, sweet foods are a natural choice when you're feeling down.
   
4. Lack of sleep: Scientific studies have shown that a lack of sleep is often followed by an increase in cravings for sweet, salty, and starchy foods.

But, you don’t always have to be at the mercy of sugary treats!

There are ways to fight off sugar cravings, and here are the  top 5 our nutritionists have  highly recommended:

#1 Watch Your Sugar Intake

The more sugar you intake, the more of it you crave!

Try to be more alert and aware of the amount of sugar in the foods you drink or buy, and if possible try finding a healthier or sugar-free alternative.

However, if you are still craving sweets, try sugar-free mints to help fight the cravings!

Work slowly to decrease the consumption of sweetened beverages like soda, sports drinks and coffee drinks.

#2 Fill up on fruits

When you cut back on added sugar, your cravings are likely to increase initially. Keep easy-to-eat fruit on hand (like berries, bananas, cut melon, or citrus fruit) to give you a boost of sweetness with the added benefit of fiber and vitamins.

Here are some fruits that make great alternatives:

Berries: Blueberries, raspberries, cranberries.

Summer fruits: Melons, peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots, and kiwis.

Winter fruits: Apples, pears, and sweet citrus fruit such as oranges.

Tropical fruits: Pineapple, pomegranates, mangoes, bananas, guava and papaya.

Dried fruit: Dates, raisins, apricots, prunes, figs, and most other dried fruits.

#3 Get Enough Beauty Sleep

Getting enough sleep is vital for good health!

Not only will it help you stop your sugar cravings, it will also keep you energized throughout the day, lowering the chances of you grabbing a sugar-filled energy drink.

A tip for getting enough sleep is to set a regular bedtime and decrease the number of distractions in your bedroom. Try moving your TV out of the bedroom and charging your phone in another room.

#4 Watch Your Diet

If you eat a diet that is low in protein, healthy fats, and fiber, you may experience blood sugar swings that impact your cravings. 

For example, if you eat a breakfast that’s high in sugar and low in fiber and protein (such as a donut or pastry), you’re likely to feel hungry again shortly after eating.

Because the nutrients your body craves for isn’t being consumed, and as a result, it causes more cravings to occur.

#5 Maintain Your Gut Flora

If your gut bacteria gets out of balance, yeasts like Candida can flourish. 

An overgrowth of yeast in the intestine (or system-wide) can cause strong sugar cravings, fatigue, fuzzy thinking and digestive issues. 

Taking probiotics and cutting down on yeast-products can help you repopulate your gut with healthy bacteria, eliminating the sugar-hungry bad bacteria.

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