5 Foods That Reduce Cravings For Sweets

Craving for sweets is pretty common. We are facing a type of mechanism that the brain uses to relieve tension and find that momentary and fleeting dose of serotonin and dopamine with which to experience well-being.

However, this behavior can become a problem. Especially when it becomes compulsive and we start to gain weight.

These foods do not provide nutrients to our body. They quickly become reserves and consequently fat.

Likewise, we cannot ignore the impact it will have on our health, such as the consequent imbalances in blood glucose levels.

The mechanism to reduce this need is undoubtedly learning to manage our anxiety. In these cases, it is always advisable to seek expert and professional help.

In a complementary way, it will be useful to know what foods can reduce that craving for sweets.

Applying a multidisciplinary approach to treating our anxiety is undoubtedly the best strategy.

Sweet anxiety, why is it?

Our anxiety loves sweets. Even more, if we eat a diet rich in sugars, saturated fats and refined flours, it is possible that our mood worsens.

This is so because of what was pointed out previously: the candy generates dopamine, thus shaping a very intense brain reward system. Consuming it brings us well-being, but that well-being is very short, with which we find ourselves in the need to consume it again.

• In fact, there are many clinical studies that show us this relationship. Studies such as the one carried out at Princeton University, in the United States, for example, explain that after spending several hours without consuming sweets, our brain can enter a state of withdrawal similar to that of any addict.

The secret of these foods that we highlight below lies in a very simple fact: they give us natural and non-addictive sweetness.

Some, due to their healthy sugar content and others, due to other types of sweet-tasting nutrients, but ultimately all have  the property of reducing cravings for sweets.

Glucose levels vary continuously, which can cause spikes in need of sugar that we will counteract with these foods.

1. Cinnamon

This surprising spice, which is used in the natural treatment of type 2 diabetes, lowers blood sugar levels and delays the emptying of the stomach.

In this way, we avoid the sugar spikes that often happen after a meal. These peaks are what cause that shortly after eating we experience the craving for sweets.

How do we consume it?

Cinnamon can be used in multiple ways. We will try to make it Ceylon cinnamon, which is the most beneficial, and we will consume it:

• In all kinds of sweets and desserts: cakes, puddings, ice creams, etc.
• In infusion, after the meal.
• Combined with honey, on an empty stomach.

2. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is rich in carbohydrates, but its high fiber content causes these to be absorbed little by little, which causes balanced and constant blood sugar levels.

Also, to reduce cravings for sweets,  we also recommend that you consume pumpkin seeds.

As a study carried out at the Carlos III Health Institute of Spain explains, these types of seeds are nutritious and take care of our cardiovascular health, something essential when we go through states of anxiety.

How do we consume it?

Although we generally consume it cooked, we can also eat it raw, grated in salads. On the other hand, if we cook it, the pumpkin is delicious in the form of a cream.

Thanks to its sweetness, we can cut thin slices of pumpkin, as if it were a Carpaccio, and bake it with a little cinnamon. This recipe is delicious as a dessert.

3. Carrot

The carrot also  contains complex carbohydrates that need to be digested to turn into sugar. Like pumpkin, they are gradually absorbed and do not produce sugar spikes.

How do we consume it?

We will eat it preferably raw. The most effective way, if we have a blender, is in the form of juice, combined, for example, with the apple.

We can also grate it and add it to all kinds of dishes such as garnish, salads, soups or even sandwiches.

4. Sweet potato

There are many types of sweet potato and they all have in common their slightly sweet taste. It is rich in natural sugars, but that should not alarm us, since this sugar content is offset by its high fiber content.

Specifically, the type of fiber in sweet potatoes is pectin, which slows down the absorption of sugars. We are facing an ideal proposal to reduce anxiety for sweets.

How do we consume it?

The sweet potato is very satiating and we do not recommend eating it in the afternoon. The best hours are in the morning or included in the meal, and we can cook it in the oven or boiled, in the same way as the potato.

5. Stevia

This plant native to Paraguay is becoming popular as a natural sweetener thanks to its multiple benefits, among which the property of regulating blood glucose levels stands out, as is the case with cinnamon.

It also contains 0 calories, making it ideal to combat cravings for sweets. With the incredible sweetness of this plant we will not have the need to eat other sugars.

How do we consume it?

Stevia allows us to sweeten herbal teas, lemonades and drinks naturally.

To conclude, these nutritional proposals are very suitable to reduce cravings for sweets. However, it is essential that we learn to deal with the root of the problem.

Anxiety requires psychological approaches and appropriate life changes to improve our state. Let us not neglect the worry, annoyance and fear that we experience today and always go to good professionals.