11 Ways to Curb Your Sweet Cravings, Naturally
Categories: Advice, Healthy Eating, Hormone Diet
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Natasha Turner, N.D. is a Toronto-based naturopathic doctor. She is the founder of the Clear Medicine wellness boutique and author of the bestselling book The Hormone Diet. Each week in her column for That's Fit.ca, Dr. Turner advises readers on how to remedy common health issues as well as improve their overall health.
Many people suffer cravings for sweets – it can occur late at night, during a mid-day slump, or just before your menstrual cycle. The causes of these cravings can vary widely but among them are hormonal imbalances, especially low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or low serotonin levels, as well as poor eating habits or unbalanced nutrition. Here are a few of my standby tips to help keep you on your diet plan while satisfying your urge to splurge.To curb your cravings:
- Go for frozen fruit (berries only). Have a ¼ cup of these. It's hard to eat too many and, because they are frozen, you have to eat slower.
- Drink herbal teas. Those with fruit flavours tend to be more satisfying.
- Glutamine: Open up a 500mg capsule under the tongue to beat your cravings.
- Chewable vitamin C pills: One or two are sweet enough to get you through.
- Slentiva Chews from Metagenics: These tasty chocolate chews contain an extract from potatoes that has been proven to reduce appetite and to assist with cravings.
- If you are stressed, look for Nusera Chews from Metagenics.These tasty caramel chews contain hydrolyzed milk protein extract, which lowers cortisol and quickly helps to reduce stress, anxiety and tension. High stress is known to cause more cravings and weight gain. Chew no more than three per day. Both chews can be purchased at our online store.
- Make sure that you are getting enough protein at each meal. Revisit the allowed proteins and your recommended serving sizes in the Nutrition chapter of The Hormone Diet.
- Never miss your afternoon snack. This will help balance your blood sugars so you avoid the "afternoon slump." You will also achieve greater weight loss if this is your goal.
- Make sure you are not over-doing it on the carbs. Remember you should have only one serving of grains or starchy vegetables the size of your fist daily – more than this can contribute to cravings.
- Increase your fibre intake. This will help you to feel full and more satisfied. Add ground flaxseeds or Salba to your salads; purchase a fibre supplement like Metafiber to add to your smoothies. It is hypoallergenic and easy on your digestive system.
- Improve your sleep and consider a natural sleep aid if necessary. Sleep deprivation is proven to increase cravings for sweets and our appetite in general.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ROY WELDON 2-18-2010 @ 8:11AM
With regards to quality sleep-----------I have found most people do not get enough actual deep restful sleep. As a regular runner/cyclist with a full time job, I have found what works for me [ of course we are all different]----------being in bed lights out at approx 9.30pm--------rising at 5.30am---------I try to maintain this pattern, and have found if I do this pattern there is no loss of 'steam' later in the day!-----------I am a 65year old male with a manual job.
Reply
Jack MeOff 2-18-2010 @ 10:13AM
Curb your cravings ?? This so-called doctor probably sells pills and vitamins and herbs and teas and a whole lot of other stuff . Right ??
Reply
Scorpio 2-19-2010 @ 8:08PM
JMO, you are clearly uneducated. Try picking up her book and you will find a complete program that walks you through a method to banish cravings and restore your health.