When you start a major diet change, your body will go through some withdrawal . These withdrawals can be as minor as, “I wish I had a donut,†to, “Get me some chocolate, STAT!†If you are battling sugar cravings on the 6-week Challenge, it’s completely normal, and the good news is that it’s also temporary. Once your body adjusts to your new eating habits, it’ll be much easier to say, “No,†to the donuts in the break room.
Sugar Cravings – 6-week Challenge Hacks
- Mix up a 50/50 mixture of cinnamon and erythritol (this is a sugar alcohol, though it’s neither sugar nor alcohol). Use a half teaspoon of this mixture to top cottage cheese, yogurt, or even a sweet potato.
- Berries – Top some plain non-fat Greek yogurt with a few berries for a snack.
- Sweet potato – These are good plain, too.
- Make sure you’re getting some healthy fats in, like olive oil, coconut oil or avocado oil. These healthy fats help your body feel satiated between meals.
- Herbal tea, or black tea sweetened with stevia or a little of the erythritol/cinnamon blend. Strong cinnamon teas like a Chai are great for cravings. Two amazing chai teas are Sweet Chai of Mine (Good Earth) or Oprah Chai (Teavana).
- Chocolate protein shot can be used for chocolate cravings, or HALF of a Quest bar. Split it in half and put the other half away before you start eating or you’re likely to eat the whole thing.
The temptation to cave to sugar cravings is intense, but the intensity should scream loud and clear that you’ve got an addiction that needs to be crushed NOW. Caving will only draw things out and make it much more difficult. Try some of these healthier alternatives to help get you through the hardest part while your body detoxes from the sugar addiction.