Have you been craving sugar your whole life?  Do you feel addicted to sugar? Do you feel like you go from being super restrictive & trying not to eat sugar to just eating whatever you want?

If you can relate to this, then you are going to love this episode today where I talk to Disa and she shares how she has been struggling with sugar for her whole life.

In this episode, I start to help Disa to realize what is the real reason behind her sugar cravings.  A lot of the time we think the food is the problem, but there is usually something going on before the sugar cravings start. 

 When we start to break this down and recognize the stress and the emotions that are taking place we are able to stop letting the sugar control us.

How to Stop Sugar Cravings: Overcoming Emotional Eating

Disa, like many people, struggles with sugar cravings and finds it difficult to give up sugar for more than a few days. Her intense cravings and emotional attachment to sugary foods make it challenging for her to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. In this conversation with Michele, Disa reflects on her relationship with sugar and its impact on her health.

Emotional eating is often linked to sugar cravings as sugary foods can provide a quick source of comfort and pleasure. When experiencing negative emotions or stress, people may turn to sugary treats as a coping mechanism, leading to a cycle of overeating and sugar addiction. However, learning to manage emotional eating can help to break this cycle and reduce sugar cravings. Overcoming emotional eating can also lead to improved mental health, increased self-awareness, and a greater sense of control over one's life.

Reduce Sugar Cravings with Awareness: Identifying Triggers

Disa admits that stress is a significant factor in her sugar cravings, and she often turns to sugary foods during times of stress and worry. By identifying triggers such as stress, Disa can become more aware of her emotional eating patterns and find healthier ways to manage stress. Disa's struggles with sugar cravings are not uncommon, and many people turn to sugary foods as a way to cope with stress and emotions.

Sugar cravings can be a common struggle for many individuals, but becoming aware of them can be the first step towards managing them effectively. Understanding the triggers behind your sugar cravings can also help in developing a plan to reduce or eliminate them altogether.

One way to become more aware of your sugar cravings is to keep a food diary. By recording what you eat and when you experience cravings, you may start to see patterns emerge. This can help identify specific triggers for your sugar cravings, such as certain times of the day, specific emotions or situations, or even particular foods that tend to trigger cravings.

Once you've identified your triggers, it can be helpful to write them down on a piece of paper or in a journal. This can help you stay accountable and provide a visual reminder of the situations that tend to trigger your cravings. For example, if you find that you tend to crave sugary foods after a stressful day at work, writing this down can help you remember to plan ahead and have healthy snacks on hand to satisfy your hunger and emotional needs.

It's important to note that everyone's triggers for sugar cravings can be different, and what works for one person may not work for another. However, some common triggers for sugar cravings can include stress, boredom, lack of sleep, hormonal imbalances, and certain medications. By identifying and understanding your triggers, you can start to develop healthy coping mechanisms and habits that can help you manage your sugar cravings effectively.

In addition to identifying triggers, it can also be helpful to make lifestyle changes that support healthy eating habits. This can include getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and incorporating regular exercise into your routine. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of whole, nutrient-dense foods can also help reduce cravings for sugary snacks and improve overall health and well-being.

Afternoon Sugar Craving

Have you ever found yourself reaching for a sugary treat in the late afternoon, even though you know it's not the healthiest choice? You're not alone. Many of us experience sugar cravings at some point, and understanding the root cause can help us break the cycle.

Michele helped Disa explore the emotions that may trigger her sugar cravings. Disa mentioned feeling anxious and overwhelmed, worrying about making the right decisions, and not letting others down. Michele identified a pattern of perfectionism and people-pleasing in Disa's behavior.

Disa also noted that her sugar cravings tend to occur in the late afternoon when work slows down, and she experiences a "stress letdown" after a busy morning. She often drinks coffee, which can contribute to the energy dip. Interestingly, Disa finds that skipping breakfast and eating lunch later in the day works better for her, even though it's not a conventional eating pattern.

Michele suggested that Disa pay attention to the types of food she eats for breakfast and lunch, and to be mindful of her choices later in the day when her sugar cravings tend to surface. She also encouraged Disa to practice self-compassion and to let go of the need for perfection and people-pleasing.

Understanding your emotions and habits can help you to make healthier choices and break the cycle of sugar cravings. Next time you feel the urge for something sweet, take a moment to reflect on what might be triggering that craving, and consider alternative ways to address the underlying emotion. With practice and self-awareness, you can take control of your cravings and enjoy a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.

Stress and Sugar Cravings

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to fall into the trap of emotional eating. Many of us turn to sugar and junk food to cope with stress, fatigue, anxiety, or even boredom. However, these unhealthy eating habits can wreak havoc on our health in the long run.

One of the main reasons we crave sugar is to avoid an emotion. We may not even realize it, but our body knows that when we eat sugar, we get a dopamine rush, and we feel better temporarily. However, this feeling doesn't last long, and we end up feeling worse in the long run.

The first step to overcoming sugar cravings is to bring awareness to your emotions and find tools to deal with them. If you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, take a few minutes to pause and do something calming, like deep breathing, walking, yoga, or meditation. These activities help break the cycle of sugar cravings and create a habit of pausing before reaching for junk food.

Another helpful tip is to find ways to reduce stress in your day-to-day life. This could mean taking a break during the day, starting your day with something enjoyable, or playing music to lift your mood.

While these tips may seem simple, they're effective in helping break the cycle of emotional eating. It's important to remember that overcoming sugar cravings is a process that requires patience and persistence. You won't see results overnight, but with practice and determination, you'll be on your way to a healthier, happier you.

Tired and Craving Sugar

Sleep is often overlooked as an important factor in our overall health and well-being. But the truth is, getting enough restful sleep is crucial for our bodies to function optimally.

Disa shared that she didn't realize how much of a problem her lack of sleep was until she started taking sleep aids, which helped to bring her heart rate down and for her to sleep better. However, she still struggles to get enough sleep, often waking up multiple times during the night and finding it difficult to get out of bed in the morning.

Michele pointed out that lack of sleep can lead to increased stress, which in turn can contribute to sugar cravings. Our bodies are exhausted when we don't get enough rest, and we often turn to sugar as a quick pick-me-up. In addition, cortisol, our stress hormone, goes up when we don't get enough sleep, which can further exacerbate the problem.

While there's no quick fix for improving sleep, I suggest looking into sleep hygiene tips and making sleep a priority.

What is the Cause of Craving Sweets

Although the exact cause is different for everyone, the first place to look is at your emotions and what is happening right before the cravings start. With Disa, we discovered different emotions that trigger her sugar cravings.

We came up with a starting point for her so she can start to create some new habits and ways to decrease her stress levels.

If you are struggling with sugar cravings and not sure why you are having them, I encourage you to set up a free health check-up with me, and let’s start to get to the root cause of your sugar cravings!

Resources:

👉Schedule a  free health check-up call and let’s figure out how to get and keep you on the right path! https://forms.gle/L4hvjcMm1Aw4uBUa6

👉Save 20% on Organifi with my affiliate code HEALTHY20 and 35% when you set up a subscription.  My favorites are the green juice & gold
https://www.kbxdj3trk.com/healthy20/

👉 Get connected with other women and encouraged on your health journey.  Join my private FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/micheleleefitness

 

👉 Discover more about my Wellness Breakthrough Program for women over 40 who are looking to lose weight for good & get in shape: https://www.micheleriechman.com/wellnessbreakthrough

 

👉Grab my 5 favorite smoothie recipes so you can start having one healthy, super nutritious meal a day! These are designed to balance your blood sugar and optimize your metabolism.

https://programs.micheleriechman.com/f/5-smoothie-recipes-for-weight-loss

Relate episodes:
#5 | 2 Tips to stop your sugar cravings, ditch the sweets, and stop stress eating for women over 40

#15 | Say Goodbye to Sugar Cravings and Hello to Losing Weight in Healthy Way {Healthy Life Jumpstart call with Emily}

You got this,

Coach Michele

Disclaimer: This podcast and website represent the opinions of Michele Riechman and her guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for informational purposes only.  Please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions or advice.

*Affiliate links are mentioned that I do make a commission from.