What am I lacking if I crave sugar?
Food cravings are linked to nutrient deficiencies. If you're constantly craving sweets, get more magnesium, chromium, and tryptophan in your diet. These nutrients are found in whole, natural foods, such as broccoli, dried beans, liver, eggs, poultry, legumes, and grains, or you can get them via supplementation.
As discussed above, a sugar craving could mean that your body is lacking a vitamin or nutrient, or that your blood sugar levels are off. Registered dietitian Farah Fahad recommends adding more protein to your meals, so your blood sugar levels don't drop.
- Chromium. Chromium works to stabilize blood sugar levels, which lessens the brain's demand for excess sugar when you're feeling hungry. ...
- Glutamine. ...
- Lipase. ...
- B Vitamins. ...
- Co Q10. ...
- Fish oil. ...
- Neurotransmitter brain support supplements.
Finally, if you have diabetes, you probably know you get hungrier than other people. But excessive hunger can mean your blood sugar is too high or too low. If you find yourself craving sweets, check your blood sugar first,” Taylor suggests.
Mineral deficiencies might be another reason for your sweet tooth. An iron deficiency will leave you with very low energy and may be a reason for your sugar cravings because the body will crave quick energy to boost itself up. Iron supplements may help fight fatigue and other symptoms of iron deficiency.
Having a healthy balance of magnesium in your diet can not only decrease the number of sweet cravings you have, but also help improve sleep, digestion, and immune health.
Excessive sugar cravings can be a sign that your blood glucose levels are out of balance which, if left unchecked, can lead to insulin resistance and Metabolic Syndrome, also known as "Pre-Diabetes." "The good news is that there are natural solutions to help balance blood glucose, improve metabolism and reduce sugar ...
Medications designed to balance brain neurotransmitters or curb appetite, such as the antidepressants Prozac and Wellbutrin, or the weight-loss drug phentermine, might help control your sugar cravings and improve your eating habits.
Take 4,000 IU of Vitamin D3 a day because when this nutrient is low, you may feel hungry all the time.
These are foods that curb sugar cravings. The recommended daily intake of magnesium is between 400 milligrams and 420 milligrams for men and 310 and 320 milligrams for women, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.
Does magnesium help with sugar cravings?
Having a healthy balance of magnesium in your diet can not only decrease the number of sweet cravings you have, but also help improve sleep, digestion, and immune health.
- Keep sugary foods away. Don't tempt yourself by stocking candy, cookies, and other high-sugar foods in your cupboards and fridge. ...
- Sweeten foods yourself. Start with unsweetened iced tea, plain yogurt, and unflavored oatmeal. ...
- Watch for hidden sugars in foods. ...
- Eat breakfast.
Studies show that drinking plenty of water helps glucose flush out of the blood. The average person should aim for eight glasses per day. Drinking plenty of water while you are indulging your sweet tooth — and throughout the day after — will help your body get back to normal.