Whether you are doing the Further Food 10 Day Sugar Detox Plan or just cutting back on sugar, curbing sugar cravings isn't easy. Chances are you’ll take any suggestions on how to make those pesky cravings subside! Dietitian and nutritionist Mary Opfer explains 11 sure-fire foods that will help curb sugar cravings while giving your body the fuel it needs.
It's Time to Curb Sugar Cravings
Whether you have a health issue or not, sugar is just plain bad for you. Many studies have found sugar to have a connection to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diabetes, autoimmune diseases, obesity and cancer. And if those aren’t enough reasons to quit, you should know that sugar increases inflammation and encourages yeast overgrowth.
11 Foods for Reducing Sugar Cravings
Now that you're convinced you need to ditch the white stuff, I have to tell you that it’s not easy to curb those sugar cravings. Even I, who eat extremely healthy, have struggled with how to curb sugar cravings. The best thing you can do to help sugar cravings is to cut sugar out completely. I recommend a complete detox, which I did when I recently did he Further Food 10 Day Sugar Detox At the same time, it is important to add in foods into your diet that can help beat the sugar cravings and keep you full longer.
Check out these 11 foods to reduce sugar cravings as well as sugar detox recipes that will help curb sugar cravings and help you reboot your body.
1. Salmon
Be sure it’s wild caught! Increasing protein will help balance your blood sugar and in turn help decrease your cravings. If you eat meat, be sure to consume grass-fed beef.
Try this
Pecan Crusted Salmon for a double protein, double omega-3 packed weeknight meal.
2. Turkey
Turkey provides
our body with a key hormone for preventing sugar cravings: serotonin, a chemical neurotransmitter that controls our mood. Scientists have found that reductions in serotonin in our body can lead to sugar cravings and cause us to overeat. While serotonin isn’t found directly in food, the amino acid tryptophan leads to serotonin production in the body.
Turkey has high levels of tryptophan that help to promote serotonin production. Pairing turkey with healthy grains can enhance tryptophan absorption and boost serotonin levels-no more sugar cravings.
Make a batch of these
Turkey Meatballs to beat sugar cravings!
3. Kale
This is a “triple-header” of a vegetable regarding sugar balance and a must-add to sugar detox recipes. Kale is a cruciferous veggie in addition to being high in fiber and vitamin C. Just 1 cup boasts 80 mg of vitamin C, which has lots of benefits, including helping to convert and increase serotonin in the brain. Low levels of serotonin can increase sugar cravings, so lots of vitamin C will help increase the serotonin and keep sugar cravings at bay.
Add kale to your smoothies for an easy and delicious way to get those vitamins and minerals! Try this easy
Everyday Kale and Blueberry Breakfast Smoothie.
4. Collagen
I love
Further Food Collagen Peptides.
Collagen peptides are a high-quality protein that is easily added to your shakes, smoothies, stews and soups. It helps curb sugar cravings, restores gut permeability and it is so easy to use. It’s a great way to double up on protein, aid in decreasing sugar cravings and help you feel full in between meals.
Add a scoop or two to kale, cucumbers, cauliflower and mix. It has no taste so it won’t change anything. Personally I use it in a veggie smoothie and a side dish made using sautéed chickpeas.
Or try this recipe for
Collagen Bone Broth - adding extra benefit to this healing broth.
5. Cruciferous Vegetables
These vegetables include cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and are one of my personal favorite ingredients for sugar detox recipes. These vegetables are high in fiber and aid in removing toxins from the body. Eat them cooked or raw.
Spice up taco night with these
Brussels Sprout Tacos. Full of b vitamins and perfect for curbing sugar cravings and kicking sugar to the curb.
6. Avocados
A great source of plant fat, this is a natural high-fiber food. Healthy fats, especially when creating sugar detox recipes, help keep you satiated. They also will help reduce your caloric intake, improve brain function and reduce inflammation. Include avocados in your breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Craving sugar? Beat it with this
Avocado Mango Nice Cream - no sugar added! Plus, it has the extra collagen boost to keep your skin looking healthy.
7. Fermented Vegetables
These can be found in fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut, pickled beets and kimchi. Also try them in coconut kefir. Probiotics are good for immune health and help increase the good bacteria in your gut.
Make these
Pickled Diakon Radishes and Carrots and eat them in a salad or add them to a banh mi!
8. Chia Seeds
These are a great source of fiber and can be used to make puddings (and who doesn’t want a sweet sugar detox recipe for a treat?!). They are also high in Omega 3’s, which is a heart healthy fatty acid and protein source.
For the morning, make this
Matcha Chia Pudding to start your day with a heaping dose of anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber! You'll get the Omega 3s from the chia seeds, plus matcha helps give you energy and boosts your metabolism!
9. Lemon Water or Apple Cider Vinegar
Both are somewhat sour tasting, which help to curb the sugar cravings. They also increase protein digestion by increasing the acid in your stomach. (Word of caution if you suffer from Gerd or heartburn that these can increase Gerd symptoms, so start off with small amounts.)
Add some wholesome ingredients and make this detoxifying
Two Ingredient Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tea Adding turmeric and ginger adds even more nutrition with antioxidants and can help keep away the sugar cravings. Plus the
turmeric and adaptogenic herbs help to boost your immunity and beat inflammation.
10. Nuts
Nuts, especially walnuts and cashews, are high in protein and healthy fats with lots of vitamins and minerals. However, they contain a lot of calories so eat them in moderation, a handful or two a day is sufficient to give you plenty of nutritional goodness. Consider incorporating them in other recipes, like oatmeal or salads, during your sugar detox.
Try this
Red Cabbage Black Kale Salad with Maple Walnuts and Creamy Avocado Dressing - a triple whammy with the cruciferous veggie, walnuts, and avocado! This will surely keep sugar out of your mind.
11. Beans
Black beans, navy beans, white beans, lentils and lima beans are excellent sources of fiber and are an important component of any sugar detox recipes you may want to try! Beans helps regulate blood sugar, making it less likely that you will crave sugar treats after your meal. High-fiber foods also reduce candida symptoms such as brain fog, gas, bloating and bad breath.
For a filling meal that can help curb sugar cravings, try these
Spice Vegan Black Bean Burgers - sure to curb those sugar cravings away while adding fiber and protein to your day.
12. Chickpeas
How to curb sugar cravings? Eat beans like chickpeas that are high in fiber and a rich source of protein. They are versatile and can be used in soups, spreads like hummus, stews and salads.
Check out this
Low Carb, Low Sodium Beet Hummus - Not only do you get the benefits from the chickpeas but you get tons of anti-oxidants and vitamins from the beets!
We know there are lots of reasons to ditch sugar, but cutting out sugar isn’t easy! We've tried to help you answer that all important question of how to curb sugar cravings. Add these 11 foods to reduce sugar cravings-they will help you cut out sugar forever and stay healthy!
FAQs
Why is sugar bad for you?
It's common knowledge that sugar is bad for you, though the reason why is not as discussed as often. Besides being bad for your oral health, sugar has been found to increase inflammation and encourage yeast overgrowth. It has also been shown to have a connection to all sorts of complications, including autoimmune diseases, obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer.
How should I start curbing my sugar cravings?
To start curbing your sugar cravings, the best thing to do first is to cut out sugar completely. Try a complete detox, like the Further Food 10 Day Sugar Detox. In the mean time, be sure to help yourself to foods that can help you reduce your sugar cravings, too. This combination of cutting sugar and eating the right foods will help you ultimately stop craving sugar.
What foods help reduce sugar cravings?
There are plenty of foods out there that can help you reduce your sugar cravings. Eating protein will help balance your blood sugar, for example, so adding foods like salmon, turkey, chickpeas, nuts, and beans will do you good. When it comes to choosing vegetables, kale can't be beat. Other great vegetables for reducing sugar are cruciferous ones like cabbage and broccoli, and fermented vegetables like kimchi and sauerkraut. Consider adding foods like chia seeds or avocado — good thing they're both delicious!
What natural supplements or concoctions can I use to curb sugar cravings?
Common ways people reduce their sugar cravings include consuming lemon water or apple cider vinegar — both of these are on the sour side and can increase protein digestion. A detoxifying tea loaded with
Superfood Turmeric is perfect for beating inflammation and reducing those cravings as well. As a protein source, supplementing with
Collagen Peptides and
Superfood Matcha can go a long way for curbing cravings as well!
Want to read more?
7 Snacks to Stop Sugar Cravings by Famed NYC Nutritionist Dana James
I Said NO to Sugar and YES to Collagen and Then This Happened!
6 Protein-Packed No Sugar Smoothies To Sweeten Your Day
Your brain on sugar. It affects more than you think.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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