I don’t know about you, but nighttime is my danger zone when it comes to eating stuff I shouldn’t.
It’s like I’m possessed by a chocolate, cookie, carb and sugar-loving demon/Cookie Monster – when all day, I was just fine!
Sure, I could choose not to keep especially-tempting treats like cookies and cake and candy in my kitchen. And I do. (Most of the time. 😉
But when Cookie Monster Lara takes over, SHE MUST BE FED! And she’s creative.
Out comes the flour, sugar, eggs, and baking cookbook. (My Breville Smart Oven makes quick cookie-making way too easy.)
Out comes the maple syrup and almond butter. (Is a 4:1 ratio, maple syrup to almond butter, too sweet?)
Out comes the “emergency” stash of Theo dark chocolate.
A lot of people I talk to share my late-night sugar craving affliction. Maybe you’re one of them?
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If keeping sweet treats out of your kitchen is a) not practical because you’re not the only one in the house (and your kids are saving a treasure trove of Halloween candy!) or b) you too end up possessed by the very resourceful Cookie Monster Sugar Demon, I have another strategy that might help you take control of your sugar cravings.
And it will probably surprise you.
Here’s the thing about cravings – of any kind, but especially sugar cravings:
If your body isn’t getting the good stuff, it craves the bad stuff.
In the case of sugar, the “good stuff” could mean fruit, but it could also mean whole grains.
That’s right. If you have monster-sized sugar cravings, I’m telling you to EAT MORE CARBS.
Shocking, right?
I talk to women EVERY DAY who are so convinced that carbs of any kind are bad – a misconception often reinforced by well-meaning trainers at the gym – that they eat only protein and veggies.
And they feel tired all the time, have insane sugar cravings, or struggle with BOTH.
Add a small serving or two of whole grains to their daily diet and their sugar cravings “magically” get less intense AND their energy level goes right up.
Look, I’m not a scientist. I’m a student of human behavior and I’m obsessed with running food experiments to help clients uncover their unique truth about food.
The results of this particular experiment – adding in whole grains to reduce sugar cravings – are soooooo consistent that I have to believe there’s something real going on. Not all that surprising when you consider that your body breaks down whole grains into glucose (ie, sugar).
Give your body some “good” sugar and it doesn’t want the bad sugar quite so much!
And no – the clients who do this do not gain weight! In fact, they often lose weight. I mean, who wouldn’t lose a few pounds when they swap out candy bars for real food, right? 🙂
So, enjoy a morning bowl of oatmeal, or some brown rice with lunch. (Here are some other whole grains you might like.)
Not only will your body get a boost from the vitamins, minerals, and fiber packed inside whole grains, but you may just dial down your sugar cravings that same night.
P.S. For more tips and tricks for taking control of your sugar cravings naturally – without feeling deprived! – check out 10 Days to Sugar Freedom.
xo,
