How to stop sugar cravings

So, what can you do to battle this fondness for something sweet and optimise your weight loss plans?

For some people, sugar cravings dominate their eating habits. The ’empty’ calories in sugar, particularly in added sugar are not only really unhealthy but they are a massive set back when trying to lose baby weight. But these impulses to indulge can be beaten! And there is no time sweeter than the present to start.

Almost every new mum will crave sugar at some point during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Some lactation experts attribute it to the fact that your body is telling you that it needs certain foods, and your mind might be misinterpreting it as a sugar craving.

7 ways to battle sugar cravings

1. Keep calm and relax

Many dieticians have said that part of our desire for a sugar binge stems from stress, and we react by consuming sugar because it helps to trigger neurotransmitters called opioids that help make us feel good. So, instead try to take a breather now and then, and find some activities that relax your mind and soul.

Take a long warm bath or a walk in the park to clear up your mind, or simply watch some feel-good comedies and laugh away your stress and cravings.

2 Clear your pantry

Now, this might be a little bit tough for new mums who have older kids. There’s always going to be some kind of snack at home for them to munch on but try your best to clear out your pantry. Fill it up instead with healthy, fresh fruits that contain natural sugar.

3. Get up and go

Just walk away from any sugary food that you see. Seems pretty easy right? But cravings are such a strong feeling and the best way is to just get out of the house and go for a walk around the block. You can even call up your girlfriends and have a chat to take your mind off your sweet tooth.

4. Healthy combinations

Well if you’re going to eat sweet food anyway, make sure you only take little amounts of it by combining it with fruits. For example, you can dip a banana or strawberry into little servings of melted dark chocolate as it contains less sugar than milk chocolate, you will get fuller more quickly and satisfy your cravings at the same time. One of the many reasons post-pregnancy mums crave sugar is because the body sometimes confuses it with hunger cravings. Fruits will help you get fuller and stop this constant craving.

Dip your favourite fruits in this Five Ingredient Chocolate Dipping Sauce!

5. Eat complete meals regularly

Again, sugar cravings can be confused with hunger cravings so you need to keep your body wholesomely nourished all the time. When you have the proper nutrition that keeps you healthy and full, the sugar cravings will keep themselves in check throughout the day. And our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge can certainly help with that! Check out the recipe from the challenge below.

Slow Cooked Lamb with Potato (pictured)

Ingredients

• 1 kilo lamb shoulder trimmed
• 1 & 1/2 tbsp dried Italian Herbs
• salt
• 6 medium potato, chopped
• 3 brown onions, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup liquid vegetable stock, salt reduced
• 2 cups frozen peas
• 1 tbsp mint leaves

Method

If preparing in the oven

1. Preheat the oven to 200c
2. Rub the lamb with the dried herbs and a teaspoon of salt and place in a baking dish surrounded by potatoes and onions. Reduce the oven temperature to 160 c
3. Cover the dish with the foil and return to the oven for 2 hours or until meat is very tender and vegetables are cooked through.

If preparing in the slow cooker

1. Rub the lamb with the dried herbs and a teaspoon of salt and place in a baking dish surrounded by the potatoes and onions.
2. Pour the stock into the dish and cook on low for 6 – 8 hours.

To Serve:

1. When ready to serve, boil the teas until tender.
2. Combine the peas with mint while still hot.
3. Divide the lamb, potatoes, onions and mint peas evenly between 6 plates to serve.

6.  Include healthy carbs in your diet plan

Sugar is considered ‘bad’ carbs and you should opt to eat ‘healthy’ carbs such as legumes, beans, nuts and seeds. These healthy carbs are high in fibre and will help to keep you feeling fuller for longer thus reducing cravings for sugar which will play an important role in your post-pregnancy weight loss plans.

Try this Budget-Friendly Lentil Shepherd’s Pie for a dinner rich in healthy carbohydrates!

7. Exercise

As you know by now, sugar stimulates the release of neurotransmitters that make us feel amazing but exercise also helps our neurons to produce serotonin and dopamine, two very important chemicals to keep us happy! Instead of eating sugar, go out for a run in the park or check out over 350 AWESOME workouts available on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge!

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