Giving Up Sugar? These Foods Will Show Your Sweet Tooth What's Up
We all have some level of a sweet tooth inside of us, which is why most of us try to go a period of time without it (no matter how long or short). If you've taken on a new no-sweets diet, your sweet tooth doesn't necessarily have to suffer. There are actually foods out there that can satisfy those cravings, and you might be surprised at some of them.
Check out a few foods that can show your sweet tooth what's up:
Avocado
Crazy, right? Avocado is not sweet at all. But science says that one of the reasons we even have sugar cravings is because our bodies are lacking the mineral magnesium. Who knew getting our fill on magnesium could help beat those sugar cravings? Along with avocado, other substitutes that are high in magnesium include quinoa, brown rice, nuts, and/or seeds and raw cacao.
Sugar-Free Gum
This won't just have your breath minty fresh, it can also control sugar cravings. The best part is that while sugar-free gum doesn't contain sugar, it does have artificial sweeteners that make it taste sweet without all the extra sugar. Chewing this after you eat might not feel like dessert, but it's healthy for your teeth and can be a healthier substitute in general.
Quench Your Thirst
Dehydration is another common cause of having sugar cravings. Quenching your thirst with good old H2O, drinks filled with electrolytes, or other healthy beverages can not only scratch your desire for something sweet but can do it without breaking your new no-sweet regimen, and of course, help you get much-needed hydration.
Zinc
Not getting enough zinc can make your body crave sugar. Zinc helps us get the needed insulin and glucose, so when it's not present, it can make us want sugar. Foods that have zinc include mushrooms, dark chocolate, spinach, oysters, and beans. For those non-vegetarians, zinc from animals like chicken and pork can be even better since they don't have phytates.
Fruit
Thanks to their natural sugars, fruits like strawberries and mango can easily serve as go-tos for those trying to avoid sweet foods. From their natural sweeteners to being filled with nutrients like fiber and plant compounds, fruit is a great substitution to extra sugary foods. Still, it's no secret that even fruit can have tons of sugar if eaten too much. To avoid this, add yogurt to help you fill up and prevent you from going overboard.
Chia Seeds
No, they're not sweet like fruit. But they do have the potential to keep you full and put off those sugar cravings. Chia seeds have omega-3 fatty acids and fiber that take in water and get larger inside of your stomach. This is what keeps you full for a longer period of time. You could look up and realize you've gone a while without even thinking about sugary snacks.
Cinnamon
This has been known as a sugar replacement for decades. It has a sweet kick to it but it's way healthier than sugar. Spices like this along with cardamom and nutmeg act as natural sweeteners, so you can lower or completely eliminate how much sugar you use when you're cooking and baking.
Dark Chocolate
I mean… it's chocolate. Still, it's not too close to the real thing. Dark chocolate is actually healthy as it has more than 70 percent cocoa and contains healthy plant compounds like polyphenols. While it has chocolate in its name, it's not nearly as unhealthy as milk chocolate or white chocolate. Yet, it has the potential to be just as satisfying, without the guilt.
Steel-Cut Oatmeal
Craving sugar could be your body telling you that your blood sugar is out of whack. Eating steel-cut oatmeal instead of sugary cereals, muffins, and even breakfast bars can help monitor your blood sugar instead of raising it as most of these foods break down to sugar when it's all said and done. If you're nervous about your oatmeal not being sweet enough, add cinnamon and honey to give the flavor a boost.
Dates
They haven't been known as one of the more popular fruits, but they can show a sweet tooth who's boss. Dates are dried fruits that are super healthy and bonus, extremely sweet. But helping you kick that sugar craving isn't the only bonus. Dates can help you get your daily fill of potassium, iron, and fiber. Plus, they have lots of plant compounds that we might miss out on daily. Mix them with nuts and almonds and you have a major win.
Chromium-Filled Foods
Chromium is another substance that can help you get rid of sugar cravings. And check this out… It can also help control your blood sugar, cholesterol, and those carb cravings; so you're getting your entire body in check. What foods have chromium? Pretty common ones actually. Broccoli, whole grains, orange juice, bran cereal, potatoes, bananas, apples, black pepper, and grape juice are just a few on the list.
Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil
Getting in a teaspoon three times a day can keep those sugar cravings away boo. We all know coconut oil has been dubbed a healthy replacement for butter, vegetable oil, and our beloved Canola oil. Apparently, one of the reasons it's healthier is because it can help prevent or at least reduce sugar cravings. You can use this as a substitution in foods like stir fry, soup, and smoothies to make sure you get in your three teaspoons a day.
Featured image by Getty Images.
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Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage