5 Tips to Manage Sugar Cravings
Mar 26, 2025Last week, we talked about the dangers of eating too much sugar. Sugar can cause weight gain, increase your chances of type 2 diabetes, and hurt your brain, liver, and heart. But even though we know sugar is bad, cutting back can still feel really hard.
The problem isn’t about needing more discipline — it’s about having the right mindset skills. Knowing what to do is one thing, but being able to do it is another. That gap can be closed with the right mindset, not just more willpower.
This week, we’re focusing on how to make it easier with simple mindset skills. Here are five tips to help you manage your cravings:
#1 Eat Nourishing Meals
Focus on meals with protein like meat, fish, and eggs. They help keep you full and stop blood sugar spikes, which can trigger cravings. Include healthy fats and complex carbs too to keep your energy steady.
#2 Distract Yourself
When a craving hits, distract yourself with something else. Here are some ideas:
- Take a hot shower
- Go for a walk
- Try a hobby or creative activity
- Do deep breathing or meditate
#3 Avoid Triggers
Especially, when you are starting our, it can be really helpful to stay away from places that tempt you to eat sugar. For example:
- Pay for petrol at the pump, rather than walking inside and seeing the hundreds of shiny chocolate bars on display
- Avoid walking past the temping bakery or ice cream parlour
- Keep sugary foods out of your home
#4 Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is super important for controlling cravings. Aim for 7-9 hours of good sleep each night to keep your hunger in check.
#5 Know Your Why
Write down why cutting sugar is important to you—maybe it’s to feel healthier, have more energy, or just feel better in your body. Keep that list with you to stay motivated when cravings hit.
Remember, it’s okay to take things slow. Each small step helps. With the right mindset, managing cravings and making healthy changes gets easier.
With love and great health
Dr Lucy and Dr Mary XX
P.S. Don’t forget to check out our Free Sugar Cravings Masterclass. Learn how to manage sugar cravings with our simple framework—it’ll make cutting back on sugar much easier!
Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy are the founders of Real Life Medicine. They help women who have been on every diet under the sun, optimise their health and achieve long lasting weight loss without feeling miserable or deprived.
They do this with their 3 step framework that
- Improves metabolism
- Develops mindset skills
- Provides tools to implement it easily into busy lives
With this comes increased energy, vitality and confidence.
You can avoid chronic disease and stop living life on the sidelines!
