Sweets. They’re hard to beat, right?
Do you ever think it’s just your lack of willpower that has you diving into that candy stash? The trick to beating your sugar cravings is not just clenching your fists and pretending those M&Ms don’t exist. If that worked, none of us would be here.
Trust me, I get it. I’m not the “just one piece of candy” type. I’m the one who pops my 10th Starburst before I realize I’ve already eaten a third of my kids’ Halloween haul. It’s a problem.
Or, it used to be before I found ways to quiet those cravings without completely giving up sweets.
Today, I’m here to share my top sweet cheats that will keep you on track—without making you feel like you’re depriving yourself.
3 Sweet Cheats to Stay on Track
When you’re trying to make healthier choices, lose weight, and get your life together, a bag of candy in your house is a temptation disaster. Halloween candy, holiday treats, that colleague who insists on bringing in donuts every Friday morning—it’s everywhere.
But here’s the thing: you don’t have to swear off sweets entirely to stay on track. You just need smarter options and some savvy nutrition tricks. So, here’s how I respond to those sugar cravings without tossing all my hard work out the window.
1. Dark Chocolate on Hand
One of my absolute favorite tricks is keeping a stash of high-quality, dark chocolate on hand. Not the kind that’s mostly sugar, but the good stuff—70% cocoa or higher. The darker the chocolate, the less sugar it contains. Plus, cocoa contains a chemical called magnesium that calms cravings, improves sleep, and balances blood sugar! We’ll talk more about magnesium in a bit.
I’m all about Ghirardelli with sea salt and almonds. It’s rich and satisfying without wrecking my macros. A single square is only about 5 net carbs. Win!
Pro Tip: Savor your chocolate. Don’t rush it. Take a bite, let it melt in your mouth, and really enjoy it. If you eat it mindlessly, you’ll miss that sweet, indulgent feeling, and you’ll be hunting for something else in 10 minutes. Slow down and appreciate the sweetness.
2. Dusted Almonds for a Filling Sweet Treat
If you’re craving that sweet-and-salty combo, Blue Diamond Dusted Almonds are my go-to. They taste like little bits of heaven (okay, maybe not heaven, but close enough) and come in at just 6 net carbs for 24 almonds. That’s a pretty decent-sized handful, and it’s a good way to scratch that chocolate itch without taking in all the sugar.
The best part? Almonds are full of healthy fats and protein. These nutrients help you feel full and satiated, reducing the desire for sugary snacks between meals!
3. Frozen Fruit That Feels Like Dessert
This one is a game-changer. You can take frozen fruit to the next level by turning it into a DIY slushy.
- Frozen Grapes: When my grapes are on their last leg in the fridge, I toss them in the freezer. They become little sweet nuggets of goodness that are super refreshing. It’s like a frozen glass of wine—without the alcohol. It’s sweet, cool, and perfect for a sugar craving. Just about 10-15 grams of carbs per cup, so it won’t throw you off track.
- Frozen Grapefruit or Oranges: If you want something that feels even more like a dessert, try frozen grapefruit. I grab the pre-sectioned ones (shout-out to Dole for making my life easier). Pop them in the freezer for a few hours, give them a mash, and they become an awesome, slushy-like treat. One half-cup serving is about 12 grams of carbs, which is totally manageable.
The texture is perfect for when you need that refreshing, sweet, and tangy bite. Plus, sweet fruits take a one-two punch to sugar cravings: their sweetness is satisfying, and their fiber and mineral content ensures your body is getting the nutrients it may be craving.
Sometimes You Just Need an SOS
Okay, we all have those moments where no amount of almonds or frozen fruit is going to cut it. That’s when I reach for a super occasional indulgence. If you need to scratch that serious chocolate itch, Atkins Endulge Bars are my guilty pleasure. The ingredient list is a bit of a chemical shitstorm—not the most quality product out there, but their peanut butter cups taste shockingly close to Reese’s Cups. When you need real chocolate satisfaction, these occasional treats won’t break the macro bank at just 2 net carbs each.
Here’s something to note: they contain sugar alcohols, which can cause GI distress in some people.
How to Beat Sugar Cravings for Good: Three Simple Habits
The sweet cheats are great, but let’s tackle the source of the cravings in the first place. If you’re finding that sugar cravings are a daily struggle, these habits might help you turn their volume way down.
1. Better Sleep
When you don’t sleep, your body craves sugar. Sleep deprivation increases the hunger hormone ghrelin and decreases leptin, the hormone that signals fullness. This leads to an out-of-control appetite for sugar and carbs.
Make sleep a priority. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night to help your body regulate hormones better and keep sugar cravings at bay.
2. More Protein
Protein is your friend when it comes to stabilizing blood sugar levels. It helps you feel full longer and prevents those energy dips that make you crave quick sugar fixes. When you eat protein, it takes longer to digest, which means a slower, steadier release of glucose into your bloodstream.
Incorporating more protein into your meals can help curb those sugar cravings by keeping you feeling satisfied and avoiding those nasty blood sugar crashes.
3. Take Magnesium
Do you ever feel like you just need chocolate? If you’re a chocolate lover, it could be a sign that you’re low in magnesium. Chocolate cravings and magnesium deficiencies go hand-in-hand. So if you’re finding it impossible to resist the chocolate, consider taking a magnesium supplement.
It might just be the missing piece in your nutrition puzzle for beating sugar cravings. Plus, magnesium is essential for many bodily functions, so it’s a win-win!
Ditch Deprivation. Add Accountability.
If you’re tired of fighting off sugar cravings every day, it’s time to make a plan. Use these sweet cheats to stay on track without feeling deprived. And remember—progress, not perfection. Small changes over time can add up to big results.
Sometimes all we need to live the healthy life we want is some accountability. In my LEAN program, we’ll talk every day for 7 weeks! You’ll learn the ins and outs of health-filled weight loss habits you can stick to for life! Join today—let’s get to the bottom of those sugar cravings together.
