Why They Happen and How to Manage Them

Start by practicing “out of sight, out of mind,” removing sugary snacks from your pantry and refrigerator or trying not to buy them in the first place. “One of the easiest and most effective ways to help curb the cravings is to limit your access to the foods in the first place,” says Kim.

Staying active can also help. Physical activity increases your impulse control and cognition, which can make it easier to manage your consumption of less healthy foods.

Association is also important here. “We associate popcorn, candies, and soda with sitting and watching television, but not with taking a brisk walk or going on a bike ride,” says Kim.

Eating wholesome and fulfilling meals will also provide steady energy between meals, which will reduce snack cravings. “To prevent sugar cravings, eat enough protein and fiber, don’t skip meals, and avoid sugary and high-carbohydrate foods,” says Dr. Valdes.

Protein and fiber help keep you feeling full, reducing sugar cravings as a result.

Conversely, high-carbohydrate foods can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, triggering the brain’s reward system to crave more high-calorie foods.

Missing your regular mealtimes can backfire. Even the occasional skipped meal can result in blood sugar levels that swing too low or too high for those with type 2 diabetes, because it can disrupt the balance between your diabetes medications and food intake.

Finally, medication can be a big help. GLP-1 drugs, which were originally developed to treat diabetes, have a remarkable effect on hunger, altering the way your body manages hunger signals in both the gut and in the brain.

“Incretin-based medications such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP/GIP receptor agonists can sometimes help curb sugar cravings by acting as a signal to your body that you may have eaten recently,” Kim says.

Source link

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply