Fruits
The best alternative to any sugar cravings is fruits. Bananas with nut butter and cinnamon, apples with peanut butter, watermelon, muskmelon, etc., are great foods to consume when you are craving something sweet.
These fruits consist of natural sugars, along with many other nutrients like protein, healthy fats, and fibre, that fulfil sugar cravings and also provide the body with good energy levels for the entire day.
Dark Chocolate
Different kinds of dark chocolates are available in the market, and all of them are a great source of good sugars. Dark chocolates with high cocoa content are also rich in antioxidants, which help reduce sugar cravings and also work as a tasty snack.
You can eat it as it is, use it for baking healthy desserts or add dark chocolate to oatmeal. An added benefit of consuming dark chocolate is that it helps improve heart health as well because it is anti-inflammatory in nature.
Chewing Gums (sugar-free)
Sugar-free chewing gums are a great way of attacking sugar cravings, as even though they have artificial sweeteners, the sugar and calorie content is very low. This helps curb sugar cravings and also assists in effective weight management. Chewing gum also controls hunger pangs well and prevents dental issues like plaque, gum inflammation, etc.
Berries
Out of all the different fruits, berries are one of the best fruits to fight sugar cravings. This nutrient-packed fruit consists of high levels of protein and plant-based fibre, which keeps the body full for longer.
Additionally, all kinds of berries taste sweet, which deceives the body into believing it is a dessert instead of a healthy alternative.
Chia Seeds
Out of all the organic seeds, chia seeds are an excellent alternative to sugary foods. You can consume it in the form of roasted trail mix, a pudding, an addition to salads and smoothies, or even in different healthy desserts.
Chia seeds are made of 40% fibre content and then other nutrients that keep you full for longer durations, reducing sugar cravings to a bare minimum.
Oats
Oats can be made sweet or savoury as per individual preferences. For sweet oatmeal, you can add water/milk, fruits, nuts, and seeds of your choice and then consume it as a dessert every day without the guilt of high sugar content.
Oats are rich in protein and make for a perfect fulfilling meal to start or end the day while reducing sugar cravings significantly.
Hummus
Made of chickpeas, tahini (sesame seeds), lime, and olive oil, hummus is a great alternative to spreads and dips. As it is a rich source of protein because it is made of chickpeas, it energises the body effectively without leaving any space for sugar cravings or sweets.
Replace your sour cream, mayonnaise, or cream cheese with hummus and see the change yourself.
Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are sweeter in taste and thus work as a good alternative to potatoes. They are rich in good carbohydrates and contain fibre, potassium and vitamins A and C.
Due to its sweet taste, it can be added to any dessert or can be consumed with light seasoning to enjoy a balanced snack, without abandoning the need for something sweet. You can also make fries out of them or bake them with your favourite toppings.
Whole Grains
Quinoa, buckwheat, brown rice, etc., are all good sources of multiple nutrients. They contain protein, vitamins, manganese, and minerals that help satisfy hunger the right way. A full stomach directly impacts the sugar cravings and decreases them significantly.
Additionally, consuming these whole grains improves gut health as they promote the production of good bacteria.
Coconut Oil
In comparison to other oils, coconut oil takes a lot of time to digest, which keeps the body full for longer durations. Additionally, it slows down the process of converting food into sugar, which helps balance out blood sugar better.
This directly affects the sugar cravings and reduces them significantly. Add the oil as a base to all your vegetable curries for best results.
Dates
Consuming dates as a whole or adding them to smoothies and other desserts can help satisfy sugar cravings without a load of additional calories. Dates contain potassium, fibre, iron, and other nutrients that make it a good alternative to other sweeteners and make for a great snack on the go.
Yoghurt
Packed with protein and calcium, consuming yoghurt with every big meal can fulfil sugar cravings without the need for indulging in different sweets and other desserts. You can also consume yoghurt as it is for an evening snack by adding berries, other fruits and nuts to it.
When choosing yoghurts, go for the ones that do not have any added sugar to ensure they are healthy and can aid in healthy weight loss.
Vegetables
Incorporating non-starchy vegetables into your daily diet can directly fight sugar cravings. Vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, zucchini, etc., are all rich in fibre. When you eat them regularly, their high fibre content takes longer to digest, making the body feel fuller.
In addition to that, these vegetables help maintain blood sugar levels, which reduces sugar cravings to a bare minimum.
Pistachios
Among the different nuts available in India, pistachios are considered a healthy alternative to sugary snacks. They contain fibre, healthy fats, and protein that directly control the blood sugar level spike and reduce it to decrease sugar cravings.
Eat them raw or roasted between meals to practise mindful snacking without compromising taste and health.
Smoothies
A popular option for a healthy yet sweet snack on the go is smoothies. You can experiment with different fruits and combine them with Greek yoghurt to make a tasty and healthy drink. Top off the smoothie with some chia seeds, almonds, and cinnamon powder to increase the nutritional value of this meal.
Eggs
Increasing protein intake directly helps reduce sugar cravings, and eggs are a great source of protein. They are light on the stomach and can be customised as per taste and requirement to reduce hunger pangs.
By consuming foods rich in protein, your body feels full throughout the day, which directly helps reduce sugar cravings, if any.
Cheese
Often considered an unhealthy ingredient, cheese can offer multiple benefits, one of them being a direct impact on sugar cravings. They are rich in fats and protein, and when consumed in moderation, cheese can help keep the body full and satisfied.
