You may crave sweets during pregnancy, but eating too much sugar will increase your chances of having a big baby and subsequent complications during labor. Everything you eat, your baby eats, too, so eating a balanced and healthy diet is important. That being said, no one expects you to cut out sweets altogether. Here are some tips for curbing that sweet tooth.
1. Go for a quick walk. Taking a fifteen minute walk has been proven to reduce cravings, according to a study published in the journal Appetite. So if you’ve already met your dessert quota for a day, hit the pavement.
2. Indulge once in a while, but only a little. If you completely deprive yourself of your favorite sweets, eventually you’ll cave in and binge.
3. Put a small portion of your favorite snack in your purse so that you’ll be less likely to swing through the drive through and overdo it.
4. Stock up on your favorite fruits. As soon as you get home from the store, prepare and portion out the fruit so it’s easy to grab and enjoy. Try mixing favorites for a delicious fruit salad. My favorite combination is sliced bananas and strawberries!
5. Fill up on healthy foods and drink plenty of water so that you’re not left feeling hungry at the end of the day. When bed time rolls around and your stomach is growling, the stage is set for a major pigging-out session.
6. Brush your teeth right after you eat your meal. Dessert won’t sound so appealing once your mouth is minty fresh. Toothpaste tends to make food taste bad.
7. Don’t chew gum. It will only trigger more sweet cravings!
8. Reduce your portions and eat very slowly when you do enjoy a dessert. You don’t need the calories, anyway; dessert’s purpose is for the flavor. You’ll get the flavor without the excess calories if you learn how to truly savor every bite.