While pregnancy is a very exciting time, your body is going through a tremendous amount of hormonal changes. Your intention is to make sure the baby gets the healthiest nutrients to grow – until a sugar craving sneaks up and feels unmanageable. It’s important to stick to a healthy diet throughout your pregnancy. It not only supports the baby’s growth and development but also shapes his preference for foods later in life. So, instead of giving in to candy or ice cream, here are 12 ways to curb that sugar craving before it gets the best of you!
1. Be Prepared
It’s safe to assume you'll probably get cravings during pregnancy. Be aware of what you’re craving and prepare alternative foods to satisfy your cravings. Here are some suggestions:
- Green smoothie with almond butter, cacao and chia seeds
- Fresh berries drizzled with a touch of honey
- Oven roasted sweet root vegetable chips
- Half a banana with almond butter
2. Stock Your Fridge With Fruit
Blueberries and sweet apples (such as Pink Lady) are great ways to satisfy a sweet tooth.
3. Keep Sugar Out of the House
Don’t set yourself up to fail. If your house and office are full of sugary temptations, it will make it that much harder to resist. Do yourself a favor and surround yourself with healthy options.
4. Check Your Prenatal Vitamin
It’s important to make sure you’re getting enough folic acid. Lack of folic acid may leave you feeling sluggish, tired and craving sugar.
5. Hydrate
You can’t drink enough water during pregnancy. Dehydration causes you to believe you need to eat when really you need water. Before you give in to a craving, try drinking a glass of water and waiting 10 minutes.
6. Chose Organic, Local, Fresh Foods When Possible
Most processed foods are full of sugar and therefore, highly addictive. Whole foods will keep you full longer and the body will use it as energy rather than storing it as fat.
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7. Keep Moving
Try and incorporate exercise into your daily activities. Staying active with light cardio and yoga will help you feel good and keep you committed to leading a healthy lifestyle.
8. Take L-Glutamine
Glutamine is an amino acid that helps diminish sugar cravings. It also plays a vital role in gastrointestinal health, supports a strong immune system, promotes muscle tone and enhances mood and mental clarity. Take two capsules every four hours (away from foods) to help manage sugar cravings before they hit!
9. Pay Attention to Your Emotions
Ask yourself if you’re hungry or just feeling emotional. Often times, especially during pregnancy, we mistake feeling hormonal as a need for sugar. Stop and take a few minutes to check in with yourself before taking the plunge in the candy jar.
10. Keep a Food Journal
Keep a food journal to keep you on track and accountable for what you eat. It’s easy to sneak in a few extra snacks when pregnant. Before you know it, your appetite can get out of control. If you commit to logging everything you eat, you'll think twice.
11. Get Your Rest
It’s important to get as much sleep as you can before your little one arrives. Not only will it help your growing baby, it will also help you manage your cravings. Often times, we reach for the candy bowl or a sugary snack as a pick-me-up when we’re feeling tired.
12. Relax
Every once in a while it’s ok to indulge. The key is not to over-consume. If you do decide to indulge, limit yourself to a small portion and chose quality over quantity.
This article was originally published on www.drfranklipman.com.Read the original here.