Fight your sugar cravings with these healthy eats

Instead of opting for foods that are high on sugar, go for foods that contain natural sugar. (Source: File Photo)

The fight against sugar cravings is a real one. It becomes especially hard when you have a sweet tooth. While the reasons for staying away from sweets may vary for different individuals — owing to diet restrictions or health concerns — the conscious battle with sugar cravings is ongoing.

However, staying away from sugar, especially in healthier forms, is not a good idea as denial usually leads to increased binge-eating. A healthy way to keep a check on your sugar craving is to opt for natural sugar-rich foods that not only put a stop to your craving but also keep you fuller for longer. Nutritionist Lovneet Batra took to Instagram to suggest a few possible alternatives.

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In the previous post, we talked about why having sweets right after a heavy meal is bad for your body. But dil hai ki manta nahin. What do we do about those sugar cravings? Have saunf to satiate urgent cravings ( the seeds, not the sugar coated ones 😅) So, while it is unhealthy to pick up mithais and creme based desserts because of the high sugar content, you can still satiate your sweet tooth by picking up natural sweets like fresh fruit, dried fruit or a super dark chocolate ( 70-90% cacao content). Fresh fruit like bananas, grapes, kiwi, cheeku 🍇🥝🍌🍏🍐🥭🍊🍑🍉🍎🍒🍓have natural sugar which will not spike up your blood sugar and insulin levels. Be mindful however, that you pickup clean, raw fruit only and not mix it with heavy cream and sugars. 😝 You can also blend together various fruit combos and freeze the mix for an icecream fix. Don’t add sugar, just let the natural sweetness blend in. 🍨 Dark chocolate, 🍫the one with lesser sugar and more cacao powder is something you can have without harming your body. Keep these in your bag and put one square in your mouth whenever the craving strikes. However, limit your self to 2 such squares in a day. Stay away from the mint dark chocolates because those have a higher sugar content. If you feel like having a drink, opt for fresh fruit juices. They will fill you up and have various other benefits that will make your skin glow. Dried fruit like munnakka, figs, raisins, pind khajur are great mithai alternatives. Make sure you keep then handy in a box with you , always. #natural #naturalsugar #sweets #sugarcraving #saynotoprocessedsugar #freshfruit #fruitsalad #bananas #healthhacks #healthyfood #healthyliving #healthylifestyle #fitgirlsguide #fittr #fiteating #fitnessblogging #fitspo #fittribe #fitness #fitmoms #fitdads #followers #followshoutoutlikecomment #follow

A post shared by Lovneet Batra (@lovneetbatra) on Feb 19, 2020 at 3:51am PST

In the post, she commented: “While it is unhealthy to pick up mithais and creme-based desserts because of the high sugar content, you can still satiate your sweet tooth by picking up natural sweets like fresh fruit, dried fruit or a super dark chocolate (70-90 per cent cacao content).”

Here are some of the options that you can always keep  handy.

Saunf or fennel seeds

You can have some saunf to satiate urgent cravings. But go for the seeds rather than the sugar-coated variety.

ALSO READ | From spinach to eggs: Some of the most healthy foods you can find in your kitchen

Fresh fruits

Fresh fruits like bananas, grapes, chiku and kiwi have natural sugar, which does not spike up blood sugar and insulin levels. However, Batra warned against mixing the fruit with heavy cream and sugars and only opting for “clean, raw fruit”.

Dark chocolate

Contain your sugar craving with a dark chocolate. (Source: Thinkstock Images)

Dark chocolate or the one with lesser sugar and more cacao powder is something you can have without harming your body. Keep these in your bag and put one square in your mouth whenever the craving strikes. However, limit your self to two such squares in a day. Stay away from the mint dark chocolates because those have a higher sugar content.

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Ice-cream with a twist

One can blend fresh fruits to make an ice-cream.

Fresh fruit juices

If you feel like having a drink, opt for fresh fruit juices. They will fill you up, and also have various other benefits that will make your skin glow.

Dry fruits

People with a sweet tooth can have dried figs as a healthy substitute for dessert. (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Dried fruits like munakka, figs, raisins, pind khajur are great mithai alternatives. Make sure you keep then handy in a box with you always.

So, what are you going to have the next time a sugar craving strikes?

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