Think your diet is suffering from your persistent “sweet tooth”? Think again. Our brains are designed to prompt us to seek out natural sources of sweet carbohydrates and foods containing fat. These naturally higher calorie foods were necessary for survival in times when food was scarce. Now we have 24/7 access to foods manufactured to be highly desirable and loaded with sugar and fat.
Food manufacturers continuously come up with new combinations of sugar and fat that are cheap and easily accessible. The more we eat, the more we crave. Most people who think they have a “sweet tooth” often desire cookies, cake, ice-cream, donuts or chocolate that contains more fat than sugar. These cravings add up to more calories and 12-14 more grams of fat per day compared to people who avoid these sweets.
Take control of your “fat tooth” by cutting back on sugar and processed fats. If you get a craving, grab a fat-free sweet, like hard candy and ride your “crave wave” for 15 minutes until the desire subsides. You can also give your body natural sweets like fruit. If you have diabetes, the trick is to figure out how to satisfy your “sweet tooth” and stay within your carbohydrate budget. Over time, your “sweet tooth” and your “fat tooth” will calm down.
