Reducing our sugar intake is never simple. We often suffer irritability or some other form of discomfort, which can be very difficult to handle for many of us. Reducing our sugar often leads to a feeling of withdrawal, which leaves us with perpetual cravings, which can be frustrating and emotionally exhausting. Can there be a solution to help alleviate these cravings, or do we just have to tolerate them until they subside?

Although there are no quick fix solutions to cure these sugar cravings, there are various ways we can help alleviate the problem, making things a lot more tolerable. Perhaps these suggestions may help:

Eat At Regular Intervals.

If we allow ourselves long periods between meals, the more our blood sugar levels will fall. Once our blood sugar levels drop too low, our body will need sustenance, and this is likely to inspire a craving for something sweet.

It can be much more advantageous to try and eat every 2-3 hours, therefore stabilising our blood sugar levels. Care should be taken to avoid foods such as potatoes, white bread, pasta, and of course foods with high sugar levels. These foods have the effect of inspiring more sugar cravings. Try to eat foods such as lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats such as olive oil. Fresh green vegetables are also ideal for energising our body without compromising our blood sugar levels.

Low sugar fruits are also a good idea for a mid meal snack or as a dessert. Fruits such as melon, pears, berry fruits, grapefruit and plums are all good examples of low sugar fruits.

Keep Well Hydrated.

Hydration can play an important part in reducing sugar cravings. Often we feel cravings, which we can sometimes assume are for energy giving sugar, when in fact what our body really needs is water. When we are dehydrated we often have a weary, tired feeling, leading us to assume we need sugar or caffeine to boost our energy levels. Dehydration can give us many misleading cravings, when in fact all we need is to drink plenty of water. By drinking sufficient water we can boost our energy levels and help resist the temptation to eat sugary foods or drinks.

Try to Keep Emotions In Check.

Sugar cravings can have a connection to the way we are feeling. Emotions can affect the way we approach many things, and battling sugar cravings is a prime example. Many of us, if we are stressed, sad, depressed or feeling low, feel the need for sweet comfort food. We often feel that sugar gives us the emotional lift and energy we need to overcome the negative feelings we are experiencing.

There are many ways we can prepare ourselves for these emotional lows. We can try to make time for a daily relaxation period. Perhaps a little meditation or yoga may help to balance our emotions and keep us calm and relaxed. By giving ourselves these stress relieving sessions, we will increase our feel good factor, making us feel we can cope without the need of a sweet, sugary lift.

Although initially we may struggle to reduce our sugar intake, after a few days we will find it much easier. After a few weeks we will not even notice that we have reduced our sugar intake, as we do not crave it nearly as much as we have done in the past.