Managing Sugar Cravings

With a peek at the science, this whole sugar thing makes a little more sense now, doesn’t it? So what exactly do we do about this?

First and foremost, be gentle with yourself and just go with it for a little while if it helps you maintain your abstinence from alcohol. While not a perfect food, there’s a solid chance that that chocolate chip cookie is better for your mental and emotional health than booze.

And once you’re ready to tackle this new sugar addiction, here are some tips:

• Eat at regular intervals (every 4 hours) to maintain your blood sugar

• Ask your doctor or nutritionist about helpful supplements, and get your daily vitamins in

• Try your best to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night

• Prioritize managing your energy throughout the day, so you’re not terribly fatigued by the evening

• Eat a good breakfast

• Focus on eating high quality protein and fats at every meal

• Have a substitute ready to go when cravings hit, like herbal tea or fruit

• Drink hot lemon water first thing in the morning

And finally, consider consulting with a doctor or therapist about any underlying brain chemistry issues that may be part of what brought you to habitual use of alcohol in the first place. As we noted earlier, alcohol and sugar both provide high doses of serotonin and dopamine. There’s a possibility that low natural levels of these neurochemicals are something that can be remedied with clinical or pharmaceutical interventions.