Veggie Blog

Atkins and sugar cravings

Why sugar cravings happen

Sugar is everywhere you look, and it turns up in some surprising places. Did you know that most whole grain breads have at least one form of sugar in them? Many people have a sweet tooth. Even if you do not eat a lot of sugary treats, you may get intense sugar cravings in the first few weeks of the Atkins diet. So many carbohydrate foods have hidden sugars in them that your body may be experiencing a kind of withdrawal.

The problem with sugar is that your blood sugar level has a strong effect on your energy, your activity levels and your overall health. When your blood sugar is too low, you can get intense cravings. High blood sugar follows high-sugar meals: when you eat concentrated sugar, your blood sugar rises sharply and your pancreas releases insulin to bring it down, which can leave you tired and hungry again. If this happens over and over for years, your cells can become resistant to insulin, which raises the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Fortunately, being on the Atkins plan can help put an end to this cycle, because eating fewer carbohydrates reduces the swings in your blood sugar. However, this does not mean that sugar cravings go away automatically. Sugar products are everywhere, and temptation is sometimes hard to fight.

Ways to deal with cravings

The first way to get the better of cravings is planning. If you plan a balance of protein, fat and fiber in your daily diet, you will prevent the blood sugar drops that lead to sugar cravings. Also, do not go too long between meals without eating. Snacks are an important part of keeping your blood sugar stable. Keep handy snacks such as cheese, nuts, seeds and boiled eggs with you, so you can quickly steady your blood sugar without turning to sweet treats.

Sugar cravings can also be a sign of poor sleep or stress. Some people link chocolate cravings to low magnesium, and zinc and chromium are sometimes mentioned too, but the evidence is limited. If you are worried that your diet lacks something, ask your doctor or a dietitian, or consider a standard multivitamin.

Another trick is to brush your teeth. Many Atkins dieters find that brushing their teeth or using Listerine breath strips helps with cravings. Both leave a fresh feeling in your mouth and take away the wish to eat. Drinking two large glasses of water can also help. If your stomach is full, you are less likely to reach for a sugary treat.

Sometimes out of sight, out of mind is the best approach. If you find yourself overcome by cravings when you are at home, get out of the house and take a walk. The distraction will have you forgetting your sugar craving in no time. Calling a friend for support or logging into an Atkins support forum can also go a long way towards preventing you from giving in to sugar cravings.

Having a low-carb version of your favorite treat is also a good idea. You are less likely to feel deprived if you can have a low-carb treat now and then. There is a wide variety of low-carb products on the market that can satisfy your sweet tooth. Low-carb yogurt, chocolate, ice cream and candy can all help you stay on the Atkins plan and still get something sweet to eat. Check the labels, though, because some of them contain sweeteners that can upset your stomach.

Sugar cravings are part of following the Atkins plan, but the tips above will help you manage them and stay committed to your weight loss efforts.