Sugar is an unhealthy substance that has been shown to be bad for your health across the board. For teeth specifically, sugar can adhere to teeth and cause bacterial growth, plaque buildup, and decay. As the best dentist office in the Springfield area, Access Dental and Dentures is here to help. Today we are discussing how to beat sugar cravings for a healthier, happier lifestyle. Read on to learn more!
Drink Water
Sometimes the body can get confused and cross its signals. If you are craving something sweet, your body could actually just be dehydrated and in need of water. Drink a large glass of water when you experience unhealthy cravings or hunger outside of mealtime. This could help satiate your body enough to curb cravings so you can say “no” to the office candy dish.
Eat Fruit
Fruit contains natural sugars that are significantly better for you than table sugar. Eating a handful of berries or an apple could help satisfy your sweet tooth while also providing good vitamins, minerals, and fiber to your diet.
Avoid Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are typically not actually better for you than traditional sugar. While both are bad for your health, artificial sweeteners can cause the signals that control appetite in your brain to get mixed up or ignored. Some sweeteners that are considered “healthy”, like Stevia, actually taste ten times sweeter than the average sweetener. If your taste buds develop an appetite for this sweeter flavor, it is likely that you will crave more of it in higher quantities.
Eat More Protein
Protein is a necessary nutrient to our diets, and it also helps you feel full for longer. If you feel full throughout the day, you are less likely to feel like snacking on unhealthy treats and sweets. Protein can help diminish your cravings as well, because your body doesn’t feel like it is in need of more nutrients.
Avoid Stress & Triggers
While avoiding stress is sometimes easier said than done, there are other ways to help your body cope other than eating sweets. A few things you can try to help cope with stress are… meditation, yoga, exercise, etc.
Avoid triggers or tempting situations like grocery shopping while hungry, or attending a party on an empty stomach. If you know you will be attending a party where you will be surrounded by a lot of sweets, eat a meal that is high in protein before leaving and make sure you are well hydrated. Chew on a piece of gum during the party to help prevent absent-minded snacking as well.
Your Missouri Dentist
Avoiding sugar can be difficult in this day and age. Sugar is a common additive in spices, condiments, sauces, and so many other food items. While eliminating all added sugar could be hard to do right away, starting to reduce your consumption is a great step in the right direction. Limiting sugar is great for your overall health, and your dental health in particular. If you think sugar has affected your teeth, call the best dentist in southern Missouri - Access Dental and Dentures! We will help check your teeth and make sure your oral health is in good condition.
We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!
1-877-DENTIST
Follow us on Twitter
Connect with us on LinkedIn
No comments:
Post a Comment