For the longest time, I had a sweet tooth that I thought would never go away. I craved something sweet after every meal. When I went out to eat, my eyes would first land on the dessert section. I felt a meal without dessert was incomplete. I knew I was onto something when I did not go through most of the leftover Halloween candy this year.
I finally took the time to understand how my cravings became infrequent, and, of course, I want to share my discoveries with you all. I was intentional but kind in my approach. I still get cravings, but they happen once in a blue moon when I am overly stressed out and not managing my emotions well.
Here are some steps that have worked for me personally. I did not go cold turkey, and I still consume sugar in moderation, but the point is I do not crave it like I used to previously.
Please remember to consult your physician or healthcare practitioner prior to making any changes to your diet
When home for I was stressed last year during a furlough, and I was consuming more sugar than usual. It made me feel so lethargic and dull. The usual sharpness, focus, and agility were gone. I would take long naps and felt low on energy most of the time. Now, even when I have a small slice of cake or a glass of wine, I notice how sugar makes you feel: I feel the impact the next day. Bloating, lethargy, and brain fog all of which take away from feeling productive and powerful. Pay attention to what sugar does to your body. If tracking helps, do it. If not, just observe to identify the signals your body is sending you.
Avoid or limit bringing home sweets: I used to always keep some chocolate and ice cream at home for because I needed something sweet after lunch and dinner. To make it easier on myself, I stopped buying chocolate or sugary snacks. I still buy 85% dark chocolate, and I enjoy a small piece in the afternoons, but I no longer spend money on sweet snacks. No more cookies, and I am careful about the quantity and quality of ice cream I get. Smaller portions help!
Consume more protein: I eat scrambled eggs in the morning, or, sometimes, I will eat an omelet for lunch. I almost always make some Indian lentil dish for dinner. If there are no lentils, then there is paneer (cottage cheese that is delicious!) or quinoa. Not only do I feel fuller, but it also helps with my urges for chocolate. I also consume a handful of almonds, walnuts, and other nuts during the day. They are great snack items.