Sweet vs. Sinful

“Choose whole food treats that provide natural sweetness, offer nutrients such as fiber and protein, and promote satiety to satisfy a sweet tooth, says registered dietitian nutritionist Alicia Brown. Dates, baked fruits, oatmeal with maple syrup, and black tea with honey can answer cravings for a sweet snack in a healthy way, Brown says.”- Food & Nutrition Magazine online (6/29)

I’ve touched on this before but it is so important that it must be re-iterated. When our body is craving something sweet, we do not HAVE to opt for processed, pre-packaged food items with loads of added sugar and artificial ingredients. There are plenty of natural food sources that are equally capable, if not more, of satisfying such desires.

I find it helpful to differentiate between a physical/body craving as opposed to a mental/psychological “want”. Deciding whether it is my body longing for something sweet vs. my mind wanting to commit a food “sin” really helps with the food selection process. More often than not, it’s the first option. Once I acknowledge the purpose of the snack, I am better able to make a wise selection, such as choosing a sweet treat with nutritional benefits (fiber, antioxidants, protein, etc.). As mentioned above, dates, baked fruit, oatmeal, and tea + natural honey are all respectable options. One of my faves is berries (clearly shown in the cover picture for this post!). The high antioxidant content of berries slows their digestion, thus minimizing a spike in blood sugar that results from their natural sugar content.

Next time you are craving something sweet, I encourage you to check yourself and differentiate between sweet & sinful. Based on this determination, it should be much easier to make a smart swap by reaching for a nutrient-dense, whole-food option!