Eat protein, not sugars – Dr. Michael Russo says your hormones love sugar says, but protein will help satisfy sugar cravings for longer than a cookie or brownie can.
Your brain tells you that sugar equals fuel – Dr. Craig Konive says our brains use glucose for fuel 95% of the time, but we can reach for something natural like fruit instead of a fruit snack with added sugar.
We can understand that sometimes we crave sugar for emotional support – “Sweets produce a hedonic response in the hypothalamus that activates the dopamine reward system,” says Dr. Barry Sears. So, instead of reaching for whatever can ease your mind, plan out your eating schedule and eat proactively, and you'll be less likely to grab a chocolate bar.
We have to break out childhood patterns – If you grew up being rewarded with sweets from parents, we might use the same sweets to reward ourselves as adults. Instead, think about what you can replace those rewards with, like a massage or a haircut.
(Men's Health)