7. Train Your Taste Buds
Affinity for any flavor is an acquired taste. When you crave something sweet, eat something bitter instead. Endive, watercress, and bitter melon are bitter vegetables that work well in this exercise. Do this consistently and you’ll find yourself with fewer cravings in as little as a month.
Eat the same types of foods that you ordinarily do but without added sugars.
Examples:
- peanut butter instead of the processed stuff
- plain Greek yogurt instead of the fruity stuff
- whole grain muesli or oatmeal instead of sugary cereal
- black coffee or tea
- homemade salad dressing instead of store-bought
8. Use Nature’s Sweetness
Innovate in the kitchen by making use of naturally sweet foods.
Here are a few ideas to try:
- Top a salad with roasted sweet potato, carrot or parsnip instead of dried fruit or croutons.
- Caramelizing onions, shallots, or garlic bring out their sweetness and are something different mixed in a homemade salad dressing.
- Sweeten (and moisten) baked goods with all-apple applesauce or bananas instead of sugar.
- Mix raw cocoa with nut butter for a chocolatey antioxidant blast without added sugar.
9. Eat Fermented Foods
Fermented foods are great for your digestion, immune system, and overall health. The sour flavor, like a bitter one, can also “trick” your taste buds into accepting a satisfying alternative. (8) In addition, the probiotic bacteria in fermented foods balance gut bacteria and regulate blood sugar. Probiotics affect mood, stress level, and are anti-inflammatory. (9)
Some fermented foods to try include
- plain grass-fed yogurt
- kefir
- sauerkraut
- kimchi
- miso
- kombucha tea
Just as a preference for sweet flavor is acquired, you can wean yourself from sugar and curb cravings by making subtle changes to your diet. Ultimately, quitting sugar will make you feel better and live better in the long run.