The average American woman consumes 48 pounds of added sugar every year.Eating too much sugar significantly raises your risk of life-shortening obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.A study found that people who exceeded the recommended daily limit of 10% of total caloric intake increased their risk of death due to heart disease by 30%.With some smart sugar strategies, you can significantly reduce your sugar cravings and take back your health.

Death By Sugar

<ul><li>We crave sugar for a variety of reasons, from hormones to habits to the psychological impact of simply seeing a decadent donut or a drizzle of caramel</li><li>The preference for sweet-tasting foods is innate.</li><li>That means sugar cravings are drilled into our bodies at an early age.</li><li>Because humans enjoy sweets, it is difficult to cut them out entirely and doing so can sometimes lead to feelings of deprivation.</li></ul>

The Sugar Craving Explained

<ul><li>If you notice a sugar craving at 3 p.m. daily without fail, add a protein-filled snack at this time to power through the day.</li><li>Identify your favourite foods</li><li>Pick two go-to breakfasts, 2-3 lunches, and 2-4 dinners and have those ingredients on hand so you can stay consistent.</li><li>Spice things up with spices that don't contain added sugar, such as cinnamon and red pepper.</li></ul>

Pay Attention to Patterns

<ul><li>While most people will support your get-healthy mission, there will be a few who try to derail your efforts.</li><li>You should definitely tell your friends, family, coworkers and significant other what you're trying to accomplish, and actively ask them for their encouragement and cooperation.</li></ul>

Make People Help You Keep Off Sugar

Craving something sweet? Try:<ul><li>Sliced apples with nut butter</li><li>Fresh berries with a handful of nuts</li><li>Whipped ricotta with roasted cherries</li><li>Baked cinnamon apples</li><li>Herbal tea that has a sweet note such as vanilla</li></ul>Craving something salty? Try:<ul><li>Guacamole and cucumber “chips”</li><li>Veggies or crackers (without added sugars or refined flour) and hummus</li><li>Biltong (an air-dried beef jerky) or turkey or salmon jerky</li><li>A handful of nuts or seeds</li><li>Dishes using eggs!</li></ul>

10 Foods that Help Stop Cravings

Cravings are intense, urgent, or abnormal desire or longing.However, just because you're having a craving or want something sweet doesn't mean you have to eat sugar - or even pop a sugar replacement, such as a piece of fruit - on impulse.Buy yourself some time.Drink a glass of water, take five deep breaths, or go for a short walk. If you are truly hungry, it's okay to reach for a snack.

Be Aware Of Your Craving

While it helps to have enjoyable staples to turn to, getting curious in the kitchen can provide a fun outlet and instill healthy eating habits. Explore recipes, <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/g28556528/healthiest-vegetables/">eat some new vegetables</a> and fruits you’ve never tried before or combine different ingredients to create new dishes. By switching up what you’re eating from day to day, you might find a new delicious dish that gets you excited about dinner.

Be Adventurous

Here are 8 ways to stop a craving in its tracks and the snacks will help you satisfy a sugar craving. You'll have a trimmer body and a healthier heart.

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