8 Snacks to Help You Beat Your Sugar Addiction

Don’t feel guilty because you’re drawn to the sweet stuff.

There are good reasons many of us crave sugary foods. Sugar stimulates the release of serotonin—the feel-good hormone. The taste of sugar also triggers the release of endorphins, which have a calming and relaxing effect.

Now, you may think you’re doomed because of the effects sugar has on our brains and bodies. However, with the right strategy and determination, you can overcome sugar addiction and enjoy fantastic benefits such as fat loss, high energy levels and a stronger immune system.

Since quitting sugar cold turkey doesn’t work well for everyone, it’s safer to take a more subtle approach. A good first step would be to replace processed carbs with sweet natural foods that curb sugar cravings. Stock up on these snacks to beat your sugar addiction.

1. DATES

Can you think of a fruit that’s sweeter than dates? On top of arousing your taste buds, dates offer many nutrients including fiber, iron, and potassium.

If you usually drink soda in the afternoon, replace it with a few dates. You can even pair dates with nuts to stay full for longer. 

2. GRAPES

You already know that grapes are naturally sweet, but that’s not the only reason you should snack on them.

Grapes are a good source of chromium, a nutrient that helps regulate blood sugar levels. This means you won’t experience the blood sugar spikes that usually follow a high-sugar meal.

Half a cup of grapes will curb your cravings and offer plenty of chromium.

3. APPLES

Unlike processed snacks, which lead to low energy, apples will boost your energy. Plus, they contain fiber and are low in calories.

Like grapes, apples contain chromium, which we’ve seen is essential for beating sugar addiction. Bananas and oranges are also good sources of this mineral.

4. NUT BUTTER

Increasing your protein intake can help curb sugar cravings by stabilizing blood sugar levels. Nuts and nut butter offer plenty of protein and healthy fats.

Be keen when buying nut butter. Make sure it doesn’t contain added sugar. Otherwise, it’ll do more harm than good.

You can snack on apples and two tablespoons of nut butter to beat the afternoon slump.

5. SWEET POTATOES

Sometimes we experience cravings due to low food intake. Well, sweet potatoes can keep you full without expanding your waistline. They contain fiber and are low in calories.

They also offer potassium and vitamins A and C. Feel free to sprinkle cinnamon on your sweet potatoes. Research suggests that this spice can balance your blood sugar levels.

6. DARK CHOCOLATE

Dark chocolate can satisfy your sweet tooth while offering you lots antioxidants. Dark chocolate that contains more than 70 percent cocoa offers polyphenols that can improve heart health, according to research.

However, you may want to eat it moderation, since it does contain sugar. Overindulging can trigger cravings for other sugary foods.

7. BERRIES

Berries are a phenomenal fruit for curbing cravings. Not only are they sweet, but they also contain fiber which helps balance your blood sugar and reduce cravings.

If you have a tendency of snacking in the evening while watching TV, replace your evening snack with berries.

8. TEAS

By now, you may know that certain types of teas can balance your blood sugar levels. Since balancing blood sugar helps curb cravings, replace sodas and other sugary beverages with oolong tea, green tea, and so on.