Cold weather always make me want to sit home and hibernate with cookies in front of the TV – and I know I’m not the only one! With that in mind I asked Be Well Health Coach Katrine Van Wyk to share with us her top tips for fighting off sugar cravings. Time to stock up on sauerkraut…
* Sometimes a sugar craving hits because our blood sugar is low. Having a sweet snack or a pastry will send you on a blood-sugar roller coaster ride for the rest of the day if you cave. Instead, have a snack with fat and protein! Try some apple slices with almond butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon to help balance the blood sugar. Or a green smoothie with avocado, coconut oil and/or almond butter. I love the Sweet Almond Kale smoothie from my book Best Green Drinks Ever
* This might be the last tip you’d expect, but sauerkraut and other fermented foods and drinks can help curb sugar cravings immediately. It has a tangy sour taste – but all the good bacteria (probiotics) help curb sugar cravings immediately. These good bacteria will eat sugar as their food – so if and when you DO indulge in a sweet treat, have some fermented food alongside it to help fight off any ill effects. You can try adding a tablespoon of sauerkraut or kim chi at every meal as a preventative measure too.
* A cup of spicy, warm and decadent tea might hit the spot. Go for an herbal chai, chocolate or licorice tea that has a lot of comforting familiar sweet tastes without all the sugar. Add a splash of almond or coconut milk to make it creamy!
* Make sure your cravings aren’t rooted in dehydration! Always drink a glass of water when a craving hits – whether for sweet, salty or oily foods. It might just be your body telling you it’s damn thirsty!
