I crave for something sweet after every meal. How do I curb this habit? (Diet query of the day)

I crave for something sweet after every meal. How do I curb this habit? (Diet query of the day)

by Kriti Saraswat

I am a 26-year-old woman and I want to reduce the amount of sweets and sugar I consume every day. After every meal, I have a sugar craving and I more often than not give into my craving and gorge on a piece of cake or mithai. I would like to curb this habit but have no clue how. Please suggest something.

The first thing to understand is that sugar or sweet cravings usually occur when there is an imbalance in one's blood sugar levels. Once they are stabilised, these too will subside. Here are some ways which will help you deal with your problem. 

Firstly, spread out your meals throughout the day. Eat less but eat often. This will ensure that your blood sugar levels stay normal.

Eat foods like nuts, legumes, oats, brown rice and veggies that are non-starchy. These release energy slowly due to their low glycemic index (GI) which helps keep blood sugar levels constant. Foods like mushroom, broccoli, whole grains are also good. (Read: Tasty low-cal Indian desserts)

According to a study done at St George's Hospital, London, the smell of vanilla can suppress the craving for sweet foods. You can make use of this study by sniffing on vanilla-scented products like candles, perfumes, etc. 

Choose healthy alternatives to sugar which will not only satisfy your sugar cravings but also be healthy for your body. Some of these substitutes include jaggery (gur), dry fruits like dried apricots, prunes, raisins, dried figs and even dates, honey, sugarcane juice, fruits and fresh fruit juices. You can also opt to make low-cal versions of your favourite desserts or eat a piece of dark chocolate. (Read: 6 healthy substitutes for white sugar)

Avoid artificial, packaged juices, aerated drinks, energy drinks and sugary drinks. Even though these are liquids, they pack in too much sugar in a single bottle, more than the required amount which is five and nine teaspoons for women and men respectively. (Read: A can of energy drink = 10 teaspoons of sugar)

Lastly, think about the repercussions that refined sugar can have on your body. It can cause tooth decay, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and hormonal imbalance. This should restrict you from gorging on too many sweets. 

For more articles on diet, check out our  fitness section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel.

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