Many people regularly experience sugar cravings, and there is no shame in doing so. We all love sugar for its pleasant taste, which is hard to resist. Those that crave sugar experience a strong urge to eat something sweet. Surprisingly, sugars do have health benefits to them; they provide the body with a quick boost of energy. Thus, there are various causes of sugar cravings, including eating the wrong foods or eating less than is required.
On the flip side, sugar is not entirely good for your health. From a dentist’s perspective, sugar is bad for your oral health. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and produce acids that erode the tooth enamel and increase the risk of developing cavities and gingivitis. Curbing sugar cravings can help keep your teeth healthy.
Below are helpful tips to eliminate sugar cravings.
Drinking a lot of water
Dehydration is the most common cause of sugar cravings. When your body is dehydrated, you will likely experience a strong urge to eat something sweet, but all your body needs is water. Dehydration makes it difficult for your body to metabolize glycogen for energy. As a result, your body craves sugar to give you a quick boost of energy. Therefore when sugar cravings strike, drink a glass of water and wait for a few minutes; the craving will likely disappear.
Chewing sugar-free gum
Chewing sugar-free gum is an excellent way to eliminate sugar cravings. Chewing gum keeps you away from mindless eating and also tones down your sugar cravings. It reduces hunger and makes you feel fuller. Unlike regular gum, sugar-free gum is a healthy option as it does not contain sugar; only sweeteners are added to give it some taste. Also, it makes an excellent substitute for high-calorie snacks such as cookies, caramels, and chocolate.
Chewing gum not only helps eliminate sugar cravings but is also suitable for your teeth. Since it does not contain any sugar, it reduces the risk of developing tooth decay. Also, chewing sugar-free gum offers protection to your teeth and gums between meals when you cannot brush your teeth.
Eating throughout the day
Waiting so long between meals is a significant contribution as to why you experience sugar cravings. When you get extremely hungry, sugary foods become a quick fix solution. Dieticians recommend you eat five small meals instead of eating three large meals. Having a meal every four hours keeps your blood sugar consistent and helps eliminate irrational eating behavior.
Cutting down consumption of sugary foods is an integral part of good oral health. A good dental routine that involves brushing at least twice a day and daily flossing can guarantee a healthy mouth.
You will still want to schedule regular dental cleaning and check-ups. Contact North View Dental for any questions or to schedule an appointment. They provide quality dental care services to meet your dental needs.
