Big Boned Problems| How To Survive Your Next Sugar Craving

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Ever been on your way somewhere and out of nowhere you feel the urge to pull up in the nearest fast food joint and order up an ice cream sundae or a hot... apple... pie? Or you stop at the gas station and run in and grab not one but two bags of chips and a candy bar right after you pass the one tiny fruit stand near the corner of the cash register. Or, you are in the grocery store, and it's been over 4 hours since your last meal and now every time you pass those powdered donuts or the bakery section, you can't help but toss those sugary delights in the cart? And even worse, your whole attitude changes and you become irritable, like a page out of the Incredible Hulk's life.

​We've all been there a time or two. Some of us has surrendered to the temptation and some of us have learned how to safeguard ourselves in that situation. Cravings are hard to control since they hit you when you least expect it. Most sugar cravings come when there is a drop in blood sugar and you need to refuel. Your energy is depleted and your brain starts to send signals to your body that you need a quick fix of sugar to get your sugar levels up. 

The reason you want to avoid this situation is because those cravings slow your body's metabolism of fat and promotes fat storage. It signals the body to store fat because it does not know when the next meal will come. So for all the hard work you've been doing, this becomes a set back. I highly suggest 5 really good full proof ways to help ease or eliminate sugar cravings all together.

1. Eat Consistently And On Time
Having a consistent time to eat goes a long way when it comes to metabolism. Your body will know when to expect the next meal and it won't easily store the fat. Many successes have gone to a 6 meal a day regimen. In these plans, you will eat every 2 1/2 to 3 hours. You will alternate between a meal and a snack. The portion sizes are significantly smaller. 

2. Create An Environment To Win
When most of your diet is filled with sugar and high sodium snacks, your body will continue to crave those foods. One thing that is helpful is when you replace those processed foods in your house with great tasting and nutrient dense foods. When your body has the nutrition it needs, it does not send out so many "I NEED FOOD NOW" signals. Working to change your everyday diet will dramatically reduce the need for sugar on demand. Keep your home stocked with healthy nutritious food choices so you never have to substitute with fast food.

3. Snacks On Demand
One thing for sure is you can't plan for everything. Emergencies come up and situations arise that require your immediate attention. So it will always be to your advantage to stash away snacks that will keep you satisfied until you can eat your next meal. Stash them away in your glove compartment, gym bag, purse, desk at work, and around the house if you need to. Snacks higher in protein helps to put those hunger cravings at bay. A few really good stash and grab snacks are individual serving size bags of peanuts, trail mixes, protein bars, fruit in a cup, and fruit with tough skins that can endure being thrown around in the bottom of a bag. 

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4. Stay Hydrated
Sometimes we misinterpret our brain's signals when it comes to hunger and thirst. Always carry water when you are away from home. Make a habit of keeping bottled water available to take with you. For those who are environmentally conscious, there are beautiful glass and BPA free bottles that you can take along with you that will add a little personal style to your daily routine.

5. Eat Before You Leave The House
As simple as this sounds, it can be so hardest thing to do. But this will save your diet and your budget. How many times have you taken a trip to the grocery store, while hungry, and noticed how you go to the deli and order a meal or two, then buy a few snacks at the check out counter, then grab some candy and a soda to wash it all down with. It's like being a kid in the candy store. Your body is sending so many signals that you can't focus on what you went in there for. Other times you may find yourself close to home but stop in at a drive thru to order a greasy meal and sugary drink only to get home and look at all that good FREE food sitting in the fridge about to spoil because you're running around town turning up at fast food drive thru windows spending unnecessary cash.

Sugar cravings are a real thing that many people have had to deal with at one time or another. The best defense you can have it to be great on offense. Be prepared and know yourself. Exercising discipline over sugar cravings will go a long way to make sure you stay on target for your weight loss goals and  will ultimately keep more money in your pockets. All the best!

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