When a sugar craving hits, it can be extremely difficult to miss out on a large bowl of ice cream. But a sweet tooth is nothing to be ashamed of. According to a study by Nutrition Magazine, “Up to 97% of women and 68% of men report experiencing some type of food craving, including sugar cravings.”
Sugar cravings tend to occur because someone is restrict carbohydrates and/or have a lack of protein in their diet, explains sydneygreeneMS, DRand a member of our medical board. Greene explains that it’s best to turn to “slow-burning fruits in combination with fat and protein sources to curb cravings.”
While a sugar craving may be your body’s way of communicating missing nutrients to you, there are some foods that can help curb those sweet cravings. So what’s one fruit that’s your best bet for crushing the craving for something sweet? avocados!
“Avocados are an example of a fruit that has fiber and natural healthy fats to help curb sugar cravings,” says Greene. “Avocados are not only a strong protein sourcebut they do provide healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that play an important role in feed and satisfy the body.“
Another factor that causes sugar cravings can be an imbalance in blood sugar. According to an investigation by King’s College London, drops in blood sugar several hours after eating can make you feel hungrier and may even result in overconsumption of calories to compensate. Keeping your blood sugar stable is key to crushing those cravings and Eat excessively.
Avocados provide nutrients that “limit spikes in insulin and blood sugar,” according to a nutrients study. In addition, the high fiber content in avocados can help slow down the rate of digestion and “causes a more gradual and smaller rise in blood sugar,” according to Circulation. Which means you won’t feel hungry soon after enjoying a plate of avocado toast.
A great way to get more avocado into your diet can be to spread the fruit on multigrain toast or roll some up in a tortilla, says Greene. Greene also suggests pairing complex carbohydrates with this natural healthy fat.
Add avocados to salads, egg dishes, mashed onto whole-grain toast, or even desserts give you satisfaction and satiety to keep you full without reaching for high-sugar foods.
For more tips on curbing sugar cravings, here they are. 16 Foods That Stop Sugar Cravings.