We all have a sweet tooth and often crave sugary treats and sweets. But sometimes we lose control over our cravings and make it into a habit. This is when our oral health starts deteriorating, and we welcome cavities in our teeth. But why does this happen to our teeth? The sugar intake encourages bacteria growth because it acts as an energy source. Once the bacteria consume the sugar, it produces an acid that damages the enamel on your teeth. If enamel is continuously being worn down, this can leave your teeth vulnerable to cavities.
So here we have a few tips and tricks to avoid sugar cravings. Let's get started!
Drinking a glass of water: This is an essential step in cutting down your craving because water is great for your body in all kinds of ways. Theories also suggest that sometimes dehydration is mistaken for cravings. Enjoying a big glass of water before diving into the candy dish might save you from declining your oral health.
Sugar-free chewing gum: Popping in a sugar-free gum instead of biscuits or cookies helps in a couple of ways. It is found that chewing gum may reduce snack cravings. Chewing gums are useful for cleaning your mouth, and it also washes away leftover food particles and reduces acids that threaten tooth enamel.
Use 'sweet' spices: Trick your tastebuds into believing you are eating something sweet by adding spices that are associated with sweetness into your meals. Sprinkling a little cinnamon on your porridge in the morning, for example, can help keep your craving under control.
Eat more protein: Protein is great for satiety, and it may help with cravings as well. When the protein levels lower down, it causes sugar cravings. Due to this, the body wants an energy boost, and sugar is a quick source. Plan to get protein throughout the day with foods such as beans, eggs, nuts, fish, and lean meats. Or you can also power up with some healthy homemade protein bars.
Reduce stress level: Yes, stress is an important factor for sugar cravings. When a person is in stress, a release of the hormone cortisol occurs. In many situations, this can be a good thing; however, if you are continually stressed out, the release of cortisol can increase your blood sugar and trigger a sugar craving. Therefore, de-stressing more often is going to help your mental and dental health. So find ways to reduce stress, and you've got the hold on sugar cravings.
Replace sugar cravings with better alternatives: A lot of fruits are plenty of natural sugars that could help you overcome your need for some sugar. For example, bananas, apples, peaches, and berries have natural sugars that can help you fight your cravings. Other than this, even dark chocolate may help as a better alternative.
Treat yourself once in a while with good quality treats: Treating yourself is fine in moderation, and if you tend to eat too many sugary foods, try to rein it in by choosing something extraordinary – but small. A rich chocolate truffle can make you feel that you are indulging in a wonderful treat, but it will be better for you than a large bar of cheap, poor quality chocolate.
Comments