What can be almost as strong, if not even stronger than hunger pangs, is sugar craving. One goes almost berserk when it strikes and one is willing to throw all dietary discipline out of the window for the sake of those sweet treats. Take heart. There are a few simple little techniques which can help you tide over those vulnerable moments.

Basically, excessive sugar cravings are a sign that your body is deficient in trace minerals like zinc, magnesium, chromium and vanadium that are involved in glucose metabolism.

Here are some tips that can help you with your sugar cravings:

Eat right
Increase the intake of yoghurt, chickpeas, almonds, oatmeal, asparagus, cheese, brewer’s yeast, whole grains, mushrooms, soy beans, spinach, oat bran and brown rice to address the root cause of the problem.

Empower Yourself With Protein
This is the best source of fuel for your body. There are times when you think you are craving sweets when in reality you are craving protein.That is more, protein is great to have as a first thing in the morning. The burning of energy that comes from it is on a slower curb than that from sugar, and this means that you are much less likely to crash later in the day.

There are many options for your protein intake, for both meat eaters and vegetarians as well:
Seafood, usually low in fat. Salmon has higher fat content but contains a lot of healthy oils and omega-3 fatty acids. White meat like chicken or turkey is an excellent source for lean protein. The skin has a load of saturated fat, so remove that before you cook it. Milk products are excellent sources of calcium, and vitamin D as well. Eggs, especially the yolk, have a lot of it in them. Lean beef is an excellent source of this substance as well as zinc, iron and vitamin B12 (which also helps elevate moods).Vegetarians and vegans can get their daily dose by eating beans, such as soy, or even nuts. Eating fifty grams of soy protein can lower your cholesterol by 3%.

Fiber is your friend
Fiber will help you by slowing down the absorption of carbs. It fills you up better than anything, so it is good to snack on fiber-rich foods. Eating a bowl of cereal, oatmeal sweetened with fruit, a granola bar, or banana will fill you up and satisfy your needs much better than a candy bar.
Other foods rich in fiber are:
Whole Wheat Breads, Baby Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Sunflower Seeds, Unbuttered Popcorn

Have Spicy Foods
Eat something spicy or with a strong flavour. Strong odours from pepper, butter, lemon or onion will tell your hypothalamus to take fewer sweets for the next few hours. But be on your guard. Don’t replace the sweets with too much of meat or butter. That will be a remedy worse than the disease.

Inhale Vanilla Scent
Inhaling the sweet scent of vanilla also calms down your sugar appetite. Not only smelling the essential oil but also massaging it on your neck and arms lowers the cravings. Mix 25 drops of vanilla oil in about one glass of water and keep ready. Apply liberally whenever cravings strike. It is better to smell like a cake than look like one.

Have Peanut Butter
Have a tiny bit of peanut butter. Your urge to have a sweet treat will be gone within minutes. Try it!

Extra Sleep
Those who are sleep deprived are more likely to need a sugar fix. Even half an hour of extra sleep will not only make you more energetic but will also lower your sugar dependence. The scientific reason for this is that your brain makes human growth hormone (HGH) whenever you sleep. An increase in its quantity brings about better blood sugar control.

Take Brisk Walk
We all know that daily brisk walk is good for your heart. Well, it also controls your sugar craze. A 40-minute jog will keep your cravings under check for up to eight hours. Even 20 minutes spent in putting your legs to paces will curb the cravings for two hours. That is called killing two birds with one stone.

Take a Hot Shower
What I have personally found to be the most effective way to get rid of a relentless craving is to take a hot shower. The water must be hot… not so hot that you burn your skin but hot enough that it is on the verge of feeling uncomfortable. Let the water run over your back and shoulders and let it heat you up. Stay there at least 5-10 minutes. By the time you step out of the shower, you are likely to have a “dazed” feeling, like when you’ve been sitting in the sauna for a long time.At that point, your craving will most likely be gone.

Last but not the least  I would like to advice is that instead of grabbing something rich in carbohydrates, take the time to relax. Meditate, take a long soak, close your eyes, or just sit and listen to calming music. The best thing to do, though, is just go to your bed and have a nap.

Take good care of yourself!