Are sweet cravings stomping all over your weight-loss efforts? Here's something to add to your arsenal to help you fight off the chocky monster.
1. Find fun in exercise
Exercise burns kilojoules and speeds up your metabolic rate. Plus, once you're on a roll with exercise, you've built up "healthy living" momentum that you're less likely to want to mess with (by way of dipping into the cookie jar).
2. Opt for a high-protein lunch
This will help boost your energy in the afternoon — often a time when sugar cravings hit. Try fish, tofu or boiled chicken!
3. Ease anxiety
Stress, or the need for emotional support, can create sugar cravings. When we get stressed, our adrenal glands are taxed, causing us to feel wired or tired and reach for a quick energy hit. The bad news is: this just causes energy to rise sharply and then drop low like a crouching tiger.
If anxiety is a concern for you, consider simplifying your life and getting active. Some herbal remedies may include:
valerian;
passionflower;
hops; and
gentian.
When used in combination these herbs have a mild sedative effect — so they are great to take a couple of hours before bed to aid a good night's sleep. Alternately you can take them if worry makes you sit bolt upright in the middle of the night, keeping your mind racing with a never-ending list of things to worry about.
A good night's sleep goes a long way in fighting stress, and hence, sugar cravings.
4. Stock up on chromium
When your body has an adequate supply of chromium, sweet cravings can be reduced. Chromium is an essential nutrient for sugar metabolism, which works closely with insulin to facilitate the uptake of glucose into the cells.
While you can supplement if your diet is inadequate, food sources include:
beef;
liver;
eggs;
chicken;
oysters;
wheat germ;
green peppers;
apples;
bananas; and
spinach.
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