B Vitamins B vitamins curb sugar cravings significantly through the essential support they provide to the metabolism and nervous system.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Deficiencies in certain minerals such as zinc, chromium, iron, calcium, and magnesium may lead to sugar cravings as well, Elia says. Magnesium deficiency is specifically worth paying attention to.
If you're constantly craving sweets, get more magnesium, chromium, and tryptophan in your diet. These nutrients are found in whole, natural foods, such as broccoli, dried beans, liver, eggs, poultry, legumes, and grains, or you can get them via supplementation.
Supplements to support your efforts
L-glutamine is an amino acid that many nutritionists believe can regulate blood sugar and keep you satisfied for longer, keeping sugar cravings at bay. Gymnema Sylvestre is derived from plant molecules.
Eat protein and fat with every meal
Protein and fat slow down digestion, making you feel full longer and curbing sugar cravings better. Snacking on nuts or a small handful of trail mix when your sugar craving comes on strong can do wonders. If you must snack, stay away from sugary sweets—it will only make things worse!
Acarbose, miglitol, and pramlintide are all drugs that help manage diabetes. They each prevent too much sugar from getting into your blood too quickly.
Supplements of magnesium can reduce sugar craving and help stabilise blood sugar levels[1]. If you have Type 2 diabetes or Pre-diabetes you are more likely to have low magnesium levels[2, 3].
While some people blame a sweet tooth for their urge to eat carbs and sugar, others suggest that nutritional deficiencies of magnesium, zinc, chromium, amino acids (tryptophan), or vitamins (vitamin D especially), may actually be the culprit.
Vitamin D
In fact, 48% of participants had an A1C that showed good blood sugar control, compared to only 32% before the study ( 20 ). How it works: Vitamin D may improve the function of pancreatic cells that make insulin and increase your body's responsiveness to insulin ( 21 , 22 ).
Many sugar cravings stem from a blood sugar imbalance. When your body ingests sugar, your blood sugar spikes and your body releases insulin to lower it to a safer level. If the insulin brings your blood sugar level a bit too low, as often happens, your body craves foods that will raise it and increase your energy.
We may use magnesium glycinate to improve blood sugar levels or to help reduce overall inflammation in the body. This form of magnesium is less likely to have a laxative effect than magnesium citrate.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid and D-phenylalanine are supplements that soothe the mind and in this way help reduce carb cravings and emotional bingeing. Chromium picolinate is a typical nutrient used in dietary supplements. It may help reduce hunger, cravings and binge eating.
Chromium is an essential mineral that helps your body process carbohydrates and fats. Though more research is needed, chromium picolinate is believed to reduce hunger and cravings by enhancing insulin activity.
Imagine you're out for a walk in the woods. During this leisurely stroll, your muscles are using a type of muscle fiber called slow-twitch fiber. These fibers circulate the oxygen you take in, and with every breath, burn off blood glucose and the glycogen stored in your liver.
When you find yourself asking “why can't I stop eating sugar”, it can be your bodies way of telling you that it needs something. It could be hungry, over-restricted, feeling an intense emotion, not fed/watered or had enough sleep. Perhaps it needs a little self-love.
Drop your sugar intake at once. The Ohio University Medical Center determined that a sugar detox will take between 3-10 days. The more sugar you are normally taking in, the longer the detox will take.
In a nutshell, drugs to treat sugar addiction include varenicline, mecamylamine, and cytisine.
During my first sugar detox, I discovered a new reason to love spices - they really add a taste profile that satisfies your sweet cravings instead of sugar! Spices, such as cinnamon, fenugreek, turmeric, and ginger can give your brain the illusion that it's having something sweet without the blood sugar spike.
Max out your magnesium
Many doctors believe sugar cravings could actually be a magnesium deficiency, especially if the person craves chocolate. Men should get between 400-420mg per day, with women up to 320mg of magnesium.
You Have Some Serious Chocolate Cravings
If you feel like your body is in desperate need of chocolate more than just on occasion or the week before your period, this could be a sign to up your magnesium intake. Dark chocolate is high in magnesium—just 1 ounce packs in 10% of your daily needs.