5 Foods That Are Sneakily Making You Crave Sugar

We all have a love/hate relationship when it comes to sugar. We crave it even when we know it's something we need to avoid. No matter how healthy a lifestyle we lead, we all do give in to these occasional sugar cravings and find ourselves nibbling on that giant cookie at 3am.

However, it's not always your body messing with your head when it craves sugar. Sometimes it's you and your dietary choices that make your body crave.

Don't believe us? Read on because we are going to tell you about some food items that are sneakily making you crave that extra spoon of sugar.

1. Sugar Free Drinks

Whenever you make the choice of having a sugar free drink in place of any normal beverage, you feel like you have made a better choice. However that's not how your body feels.

When you have a sweet drink your mind is conditioned to experience a rush of calories. But when the so called 'healthy sugar free' option does not deliver, your body then starts to crave sugar.

2. Artificial Sweeteners

Your daily television viewing is flooded with ads that try and explain to you how helpful 'artificial sweeteners 'are for people to be healthy. But, think before you make a shift from normal sweetener to artificial ones.

Artificial sweeteners trick your tummy into believing that something sweet is on its way. Sugar is instant energy, like a fuel for your body. However your body doesn't get the stipulated calorie it needs, thanks to the artificial sweeteners. This messes with your hunger and hormones, making you crave more and more sugar.

3. Processed Foods

Packaged food is another villain causing you to crave sugar. The foods are processed by adding large amounts of salt to them to increase their shelf life. The high amount of sodium is what then makes you crave something sweet.

Try choosing healthier alternatives, that are fresh. Instead of choosing packaged proteins, go for fresh proteins, that need to be consumed the same day. Always remember, the more you stay away from chips, the less you are going to crave cookies or cake.

4. Carbonated Drinks

The aerated drinks, without which your pepperoni pizza is incomplete, can actually be the reason you are up every night craving something sweet. These aerated or carbonated drinks contain carbon dioxide along with large amounts of sugar, which make your body in turn crave more sugar.

5. Carbohydrates

A balanced meal will keep you full for long and will never make you crave anything sweeta. Whenever you have a giant bowl of pasta or even bread, you are actually consuming all processed carbs. They are known to cause abrupt rise and fall in blood sugar levels, causing more cravings.

You don't need to cut out these carbs from your diet completely. But you can definitely make that bowl of pasta healthy. Try adding some lean proteins and toss in some sauteed vegetables to up the satiety value of your food.

Try opting for natural sweeteners like jaggery or dates to help yourself sail through those turbulent nights. And remember, nothing will damage your health too much as long as it is consumed in proper proportions.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.