“Renew You” Challenge – Ever have one of those “I have to have a chocolate bar NOW!” cravings that sneaks up on you when you least expect it? It’s usually when you should be doing something productive, but all you can think about is that darn chocolate bar. And pretty soon the craving gets so bad that you feel like the only way to get rid of it is to give in and eat a chocolate bar, right?
Not true! The thing about cravings, especially sugar cravings, that people tend to forget is that they’re linked to something totally controllable: blood sugar. Essentially, when your blood sugar is too low, the body sends a message to the brain that says, “Quick! I need sugar!” and suddenly you’re fantasizing about chocolate bars. But the trick to taking control of sugar cravings is heading them off at the curve—and yes, it can be done. Just follow these three simple tips!
Rule #1: Eat a high-protein breakfast. Why? Because unlike carbs and sugar, protein will give you sustained energy so you won’t feel that mid-morning “crash”. And don’t even think of skipping breakfast—you’ll only overcompensate later.
Rule #2: Eat healthy snacks throughout the day. One of the best ways to beat those pesky cravings is to eat a healthy mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack to keep blood sugar levels stable throughout the day.
Rule #3: Blood sugar control. We can all use a little extra support now and then, so if you’re still not able to resist the call of sugar, try a natural supplement that helps curb cravings. Make sure one of the ingredients is chromium, which helps to balance blood sugar levels.
As for meals, be sure to eat plenty of fiber. Foods high in fiber help to fill you up but they don’t have a lot of calories, and they also work to slow the absorption of sugar from food, which in turn helps to regulate blood sugar. Eating at least 35 grams of fiber each day is a great place to start.