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For the more food-motivated amongst us, meals are the highlights of otherwise mediocre days.
Some of us are all about texture, preferring a tactile crispness or luxurious silkiness.
Others will gravitate towardsaltyor sweet flavors and some palettes will even prefer a multi-layered third option.
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But dietitians have their own reasons for seeing red flags.
Quitting the sweet cravings is no easy task.
Even the most determined have tried tostop eating sugaronly to fall off the wagon.
As fellow sugar worshippers, we consulted two top nutritionists to get to the root of the issues.
Meet the Experts
What Is a Sugar Craving?
What Causes Sugar Cravings?
Another Nutrient or Vitamin Deficiency
If youre craving fruit, then congratulations!
Goodman says this is one of the best cravings to have.
Your body might be telling you it needs additionalvitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, Goodman explains.
This will give you the fuel you need without the blood sugar spikes, she promises.
What Can Your Sugar Cravings Say About Your Health?
Registered dietitian Farah Fahad recommends adding more protein to your meals, so your blood sugar levels dont drop.
It wants energy for all the thousands of biological processes that are happening.
Habitual practices can also train the brain, and subsequently, the body, to crave sugar.
Stressandsleep deficiencycan also cause you to crave more sweets than normal.
As stress levels elevate, cortisol spikes requiring quick energy fuel to sustain the mentally and physically aroused state.
Lack of sleep also reduces our ability to make sound decisions or feel satiated.
Before you satisfy cravings, drink a tall glass of spring water, Goodman suggests.
We often misinterpret our bodys signal for thirst as a signal of hunger.
Bydrinking waterfirst, you may be giving your body exactly what it wants and alleviate the craving.
Byrdie Tip
Try sipping on fruit-flavored (sugar-free) sparkling water when your sugar craving hits.
It’ll hydrate and satisfy your sweet tooth.
If you feel like youre overdoing it with fruit, pair it with fat or protein, she says.
If you are craving sweets chronically, Goodman says this may indicate that you have hypoglycemia, for instance.
But they could also be just an ordinary craving for a donut.
See a professional if it’s so frequent it might indicate a deeper health issue.
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