5 Nutritious Foods To Curb Your Sweet Cravings

Sugar has become an integral part of our diets, thanks to its irresistible taste that leaves us constantly craving for more. However, cutting out sugar entirely from your diet can lead to a range of unpleasant symptoms, such as low energy, brain fog, nausea, fatigue, headaches, cramps, and diarrhea, which may mimic the symptoms of the common cold or flu.

The good news is that there are plenty of healthy alternatives to sugar available. These natural substitutes not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also offer various health benefits. With fewer calories than sugar, these alternatives make for excellent choices to help you curb your sugar intake while still indulging your cravings for something sweet.

# Fruits Have Larger Fiber Content

Refined sugar is a known culprit in the occurrence of many diseases. To reduce the intake of sugar in the diet, you can use fruits as a healthy alternative. Fruits are a low-calorie choice to be considered with many nutritional benefits. The fiber content of fruits helps prevent coronary heart disease and the occurrence of diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels.

Sugars in fresh fruit do not pose any harm to dental health, unlike refined sugar. The intake of fruits makes you feel full and the liver can easily metabolize small amounts of fructose in the fruits without the sugar overload. However, the intake of fruits that are high in sugar content like mango, jackfruit and the like is to be limited if you have blood sugar issues.

# Coconut Sugar Has A Low Glycemic Index

Coconut sugar is a delicious tasting sugar extracted from the sap of flower buds from the coconut tree. It is rich in minerals like iron, zinc, potassium and many others. It falls into the category of foods with low glycemic index and mostly is used in the preparation of bread and cakes.

It contains a fiber component called inulin that can slow down glucose absorption and prevents the sudden increase and decrease of glucose levels. It can also be effective in fighting inflammation and cholesterol unlike. However, limiting the usage for diabetic patients is recommended as it is very high in calories.

# Natural Sweeteners Regulate Blood Sugar Levels

Substituting refined white sugar with less processed sugars such as maple syrup, honey, applesauce and agave nectar has many health benefits. They taste like sugar and hence are effective as healthy sugar substitutes in the preparation of pastries and desserts. They prevent dental decay, regulate blood sugar levels and can enhance the taste of the food they are added in. They are safer to use than most of the artificial sweeteners available in the market which pose health risks.

Honey can inhibit the growth of microorganisms, promote lower weight gain and has medicinal value. Artificial sweeteners can cause weight gain and even cancer. Natural sweeteners allow you to eat the same foods you love to eat while also avoiding sugar and allow you to lose weight. Stevia is a natural herbal sweetener with no calorie load and sweeter than refined sugar.

# Gluten-free Flour Is Loaded With Nutrients

Gluten proteins are responsible for the softness of your bread as they play a key role in determining the elasticity of the dough. Gluten is found in many grain based foods that are high in carbohydrate content. These foods can raise your blood sugar. On the contrary, gluten free flours like coconut flour, buckwheat flour, almond flour, banana flour, amaranth flour, tapioca flour and the like are loaded with nutrients and have a low glycemic index.

You do not have to miss your favorite bakery bread if you prepare sweetened bread with natural sweeteners like dates and low-calorie sweetening syrups like maple syrup. You can also eat fiber rich fruits like bananas to enhance the fiber content of the gluten free flours as they contain less fiber and can cause the carbohydrates to be more easily absorbed than desired.

# Sweet Potatoes Have Complex Carbohydrates

You can opt for sweet potatoes for an evening snack or for breakfast if you are craving sweet food. It has many health benefits and has a lower glycemic index than the regular potatoes. Sweet potato is high in beta carotene which is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight inflammation thus preventing diseases like cancer. It contains water soluble sugars that give it a sweet taste. It has higher levels of both carbohydrate and dietary fiber than regular potatoes.