Three healthy, low-sugar techniques to give in to your sweet tooth

I'll admit it - I have a serious sweet tooth. When the sugar cravings strike, I can't just ignore them, so oftentimes, I give in and before I know it, I've finished a chocolate bar, a doughnut and a soft drink. Of course, after indulging in these sweet treats I'm only left feeling guilty and ever so disappointed in myself!

If you can relate to having an unstoppable sweet tooth, you're probably wondering how doctors, wellness experts and fitness aficionados haven't yet found a solution to preventing it...

You're probably also wondering how some people are so physically fit and mentally clear. Do they seriously not crave sugar at all? The truth is that the sugar cravings hit everybody at some point - whether it's every day or once a week.

While there's no way to prevent sugar cravings, how you deal with them when they strike is what sets the fit apart from the rest of us who easily give in to our cravings. Over the past couple of months I've learned how to satisfy my cravings in healthy, low-sugar ways and I'd like to share three of them with you!

Three healthy, low-sugar ways to succumb to your sweet tooth desires

#1: Enjoy vanilla yoghurt or dark chocolate as a healthy after-dinner treat
Do you often crave something sweet and sugary after dinner? Don’t worry, I do too! In the past I used to have no hesitation in reaching for a tub of ice cream and a spoon when the after-dinner sugar cravings struck. Now, I’ve learned that a cup of vanilla yoghurt or two or three squares of 70% or 80% dark chocolate make for an even more satisfying post-dinner treat. And the best part? They’re both low in sugar! If you like, you can even grate the dark chocolate and add it to the yoghurt for a gut-healthy dessert. Yum, yum!


 
#2: Sip infused water throughout the day for an extra-refreshing kick
Sipping plain old water throughout the day can be boring. It also doesn’t satisfy your sweet cravings when they hit, does it? Before you reach for a soft drink, try infused water – it’s incredibly luxurious but at the same time so quick and easy to make! All you do is fill a pitcher with cold still or sparkling water, then slice up your favourite fruits and vegetables and throw them in. For best results you should store your infused water in your fridge overnight so that the flavours fuse into the water.
 
These are my favourite thirst-quenching infused water combos to try:

• Mint and cucumber;
• Kiwis and strawberries;
• Strawberries and basil; and
• Oranges and lemons.

 
#3: Brew a naturally sweet-tasting tea like rooibos or raspberry
Did you know that sometimes when you feel hungry, your body is actually trying to tell you that you’re dehydrated? So the next time the cravings overcome you, try brewing up a pot of naturally sweet-tasting tea to hydrate your body and attend to your sweet cravings both at once. Some delicious teas that are naturally sweet include rooibos, raspberry, peppermint and liquorice. These teas are also caffeine free, so they won’t cause your energy levels to crash after a cup or two!

 
PS: Why not try these gluten-free, low-sugar coconut, almond and raspberry muffins? They’re the perfect lunchbox snack that won’t give you a crazy sugar high!

Tags: sweet tooth, blood sugar, low-sugar, sugar cravings, tips to beat sugar cravings, healthy ways to deal with sugar cravings, diabetes, insulin resistance, blood sugar crash, nutrition tips