What Causes Sugar Cravings

In order to learn how to fight sugar cravings, you need to know what causes them in the first place. By getting to the root cause of your sugar cravings, you'll be able to nip them in the bud. Here are a few of the top causes of sugar cravings. 

Behavior Conditioning

What, how, when, and why you eat can all create behavior patterns. These behavior patterns then produce cravings because when you give into them, they feel rewarding. 

One of the many reasons why people crave sugar is thanks to behavior conditioning. They've trained their brains to desire sugar in order to produce a reward response.

Consuming Artificial Sweeteners

If you find yourself eating lots of artificial sweeteners so that you can avoid the extra calories that sugar packs on, you could be doing yourself a disservice. 

Artificial sweeteners tend to be much sweeter than sugars. As a result, you start to get used to the hyper-sweet flavor of these additives, making your desire for sugar much stronger. 

Stress

When your body is full of stress hormones, it increases your ghrelin hormone. Ghrelin is the hunger hormone, which is why when many of us are stressed, we find ourselves reaching for snacks. 

On top of that, when you're stressed, your body seeks out highly rewarding foods and flavors to make you feel better. The result is that you crave sugars, chips, and other junk food because of the reward response your brain produces when you eat them.

Sleep

Another reason you might be craving sugar is if you're not getting enough sleep. Studies have shown that when you don't get enough sleep, you tend to seek out starchy, salty, and sweet foods. 

The reason for this may be because these foods give you more energy. Your body tells you to eat these foods so that you can get a kick of energy to keep you awake. 

Risks of Too Much Sugar

If you find yourself regularly giving in to sugar cravings, you could be putting yourself at risk for several health issues. Here are a few of the major risks of eating too much sugar.

Cavities

Sugar feeds the bacteria that live on your teeth, which can cause them to eat away at your enamel and lead to tooth decay. When you eat too much sugar, you increase your risk of developing cavities that require fillings or worse, root canals. 

Weight Gain

Sugary foods have been linked to weight gain in individuals thanks to the body's ability to convert them to fat. Eating too much sugar can cause you to gain weight quickly, which can lead to a whole slew of other health issues.

Type II Diabetes

When you eat too much sugar, you can cause your body to develop insulin resistance. Insulin resistance leads to diabetes, which is another issue that plagues many people who eat too much sugar. 

Acne

If you struggle with acne, too much sugar could be to blame. Sugar causes your blood sugar to spike, which in turn leads to oil secretion, inflammation, and androgen secretion, all of which cause acne. 

How to Fight Sugar Cravings

With all those risks of eating too much sugar, you're probably wondering how to fight sugar cravings off once and for all. Here are a few methods for fighting sugar cravings. 

Give In a Little Bit

One method for fighting off sugar cravings is to eat a little bit of what you're craving. Just make sure not to eat more than 150 calories as part of your snack.

Combine Foods

Another way to fight sugar cravings is to combine something sweet with something healthy. Try sprinkling a few chocolate chips on a cup of oatmeal, or dipping a banana in chocolate sauce. 

Give Sugar Up Cold Turkey

You can always give sugar up cold turkey. Usually, the first 2 to 3 days are the hardest, but after that not eating sugar becomes a breeze. 

Chew Gum

Chewing gum is another great way to reduce cravings. The chewing motion tricks your brain into thinking you're eating, while the sweet flavor of the gum can satisfy your craving. 

Eat Foods for Fighting Sugar Cravings

There are tons of foods out there that can help you fight off the sugar cravings. Fruit, seeds, and nuts are all great for keeping the sugar cravings at bay when you notice them starting to rear their ugly heads. 

Walk Away

If you're really tempted to eat sugar, you can walk away from the craving. Go for a walk or do something to change your scenery and get your mind off the sugar craving. 

Eat Regular Meals

One reason why people find themselves craving sugary foods is because they wait too long between meals. Try to eat every 3-4 hours so that you keep your blood sugar levels stable and avoid reaching for a quick sugary pick-me-up.

Fight Sugar Cravings off Once and for All

Now that you know a little bit more about what sugar cravings are and how to fight sugar cravings, you'll be in a better position to take charge of your health. Knowing these tips and tricks will help you avoid some of the negative health impacts of eating too much sugar.

If you do find yourself eating too much sugar, you've probably got a cavity or two that needs treatment. Get in touch with the team at Arverne Dental to get your sweet tooth taken care of!