Why Am I Craving Sweets?
Why You Are Craving Sweets
A great question came up the other day from one of my clients. She asked, “what should I do when I am cravings sweets?” If you have a hankering for something sweet you are not alone! Here is how I recommend you approach that craving of yours.
S.T.O.P.
S: Stop or slow down
T: Take a deep breath
O: Observe your feelings and environment
P: Proceed mindfully
It is important to take a moment to pause and assess what is going on. It is not uncommon for cravings to pop up for a variety of reasons.
Why You May Be Craving Sweets
You’re tired or haven’t slept well lately.
You actually need food or water.
You’re stressed and need to step away from whatever you are doing for a moment (go for a walk, take some deep breaths, find a quiet moment, talk to a loved one).
You’re feeling a bit emotional. Try doing something to cheer you up and get you back into a good headspace.
You have a “sweet treat time” habit and that 3pm pick-me up is calling like Pavlov’s dog.
You actually want something sweet and thats okay (and, quite frankly, it is human to enjoy sweet foods)!
Developing You Self Awareness is Important
You should not feel guilty for eating a piece of chocolate or candy. But this action should be approached mindfully so you can really enjoy what you are eating as opposed to going through the motions and not finding satisfaction in it.
Being mindful about the process will help you throughly enjoy the each bite. Plus, you may find that you don’t need as much to get the same effect as you would mindlessly polishing off a bag of sweets while distracted in front of the computer.
Choosing Better Sweet Treats
Dark chocolate. The darker the better!
Look for fair trade companies so you can go the extra mile and support the farmers as well!).
Endangered Species
Dried unsweetened unsulfured fruit
Cocoa dusted nuts lightly sweetened
Make a healthy dessert recipe like my cookie dough bites!
And remember, your taste buds are very very adaptable. If you are a white or milk chocolate kind of person, explore the dark chocolate world! You may find that you enjoy the robust and rich flavors it brings as opposed to the simple flavors of milk and sugar.
Written by Eleanor Baker, MS, RD, LDN
Hi! My name is Eleanor, I have a love for delicious and nutritious dishes, the outdoors, great people, and good times! I am a Registered Dietitian and an enthusiast when it comes to learning about health and how I can help others to feel their best. Learn more about living vibrantly on my site and take your health to the next level with a more individual approach when you meet with me.