College Health TV
When you are trying to eat a healthier diet, you are probably looking for one that is low in sugar and nutritious. But if you have a sweet tooth, it’s so much harder to stay away from high-sugar foods. You know you should not be eating these foods, but it is very hard to avoid those doughnuts, cakes, cookies, and candy.
For many people, a diet without sweets is just not tolerable. If you are used to having dessert with every meal or having sweet snacks, you will find it hard to eat in a healthy way.
But, there are good ways to keep your sweet tooth happy and some of them are discussed below.
Substitute Fruits for High-Sugar Foods
Fruits taste sweet because they are high in fructose. They don’t have high levels of table sugar. In fact, they are high in vitamins, fiber, and nutrients so they’re good for you. When you eat fruits, be sure to eat the whole fruit, not just the juice. That’s because the fiber in the whole fruit slows the passage of the sugar into the bloodstream and this will help regulate your blood glucose levels.
So, instead of grabbing a piece of candy, try to eat a cup of berries, a whole apple, or an orange. You will feel like you are eating something sweet, but you will also be getting important fiber and nutrients in your diet.
Eat Popcorn
When the muchies hit you in the evening, eating popcorn that is lightly salted is a great idea. Use a little bit of butter and salt or why not try air-popped popcorn? It will help satisfy your craving by giving you something to put in your mouth. It is also full of insoluble fiber and that will help improve your digestion.
Try Eating Dark Chocolate
The good news is that dark chocolate contains less sugar than milk chocolate and it’s high in anti-oxidants. When you eat cocoa or dark chocolate, you will feel like you are eating a sweet, but it has important health benefits.
So, try eating a few squares of dark chocolate as an evening snack or dessert. In fact, why not drizzle a little chocolate on your popcorn? It tastes great and your sweet tooth will be tricked into being satisfied.
Eat Fresh Vegetables
Several vegetables like celery, corn, and carrots are naturally sweet and they can satisfy your need to eat a sweet. Corn on the cob is especially helpful and it also contains fiber that will help regulate your blood sugar and bowels.
Keep cut up celery and carrots in the refrigerator and eat them with a vegetable dip such as a vinaigrette or a ranch dip. These are both great to add sweetness and taste to your diet.
Add Milk to Your Day
Milk contains milk sugar and is high in protein. Its sugar is not the same as table sugar. If you want a sweet snack before bed, why not try a cozy glass of warm milk? As a bonus, it will also give you lots of vitamin D and calcium.
These ideas will help you avoid foods high in table sugar and, best of all, research has shown that many people eventually lose their desire for sugar and their sweet tooth is cured.
