Eat Balanced Meals
If you’re experiencing physical hunger throughout your day and giving in to the vending machine at work, try eating 3 balanced meals every day. A healthy, balanced meal contains one part complex carbohydrates (i.e., fruits, vegetables, and whole grains), one healthy fat (i.e., vegetable oils, nuts, dairy, or fish high in omega-3 fats), and one lean protein (chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef, nuts, or beans). Keeping yourself satiated with healthy food will keep your insulin levels from spiking, which is what causes sugar and carb cravings.

Never Leave the House Hungry
If you attend a cocktail party or family event hungry, you can predict that you’re going to reach for the sweetest, fattiest food when offered. So do yourself a favor and have a small, healthful snack before dining out. You’ll be less likely to binge on sweets if you’re not arriving completely ravenous.

Supplement
Many individuals crave sugar due to a nutritional imbalance. For this reason, talk to your doctor or nutritionist about supplementing your diet. Or incorporate a daily multivitamin into your regimen to ensure you’re getting a balanced day of vitamins and minerals.

Practice Self-Love
We all overindulge once in a while. It’s easy to get caught up in an unhealthy cycle of binging on sugar followed by shame and guilt. If you slip up, learn to forgive yourself and forget. You are human after all. Don’t focus on the negative, instead look to the future positively and use this motivation to get back on track with healthy eating.

Julie Ching, MS, RDN, CDE
Julie Ching is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator in Los Angeles. She decided to become a Dietitian after traveling through Europe, South America, and Asia and discovered a passion for food. She now works with people of all ages and varying disease states to improve their health. She is passionate about teaching people about nutrition so they can live their best life while still considering their cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.