Effects of poor sleep include:

• Increase in the hunger hormone ghrelin – you eat more high calories foods especially sugar, the next day
• The appetite suppressant hormone leptin is decreased
• You have after dinner cravings causing you to eat more high calorie sugar rich foods even when you have had a big dinner
• Low energy the next day so you subconsciously reach for a bagel, pastry or donut for a sugary energy boost
• You eat more food the next day
• You don’t feel satisfied, so you crave sugar

Stress is another cause of your sugar cravings. You do not need to feel stressed out for stress to affect you.

Even low levels of stress and relational tension whether it be with a friend, family member, partner, or co-worker can cause you to crave sugar.

According to Study.com, Chronic stress is the stress that is long in duration such as chronic pain or recurs, again and again, such as staying late at work multiple nights. More than 40 million of us deal with chronic stress.

1. Lower your stress

2. Get better sleep

3. Check your foods for artificial sweeteners

How to stop sugar cravings in the evening

• Go for a short walk – get away from the temptation
• Eat more protein at dinner – protein fills you up and satisfies so it cuts those cravings
• Stay away from diet sodas at dinner as they contain artificial sweeteners causing cravings