Photo: Alegrya / Flickr

One of the most difficult parts of adjusting to and following a healthy eating plan is to learn to live without the sweet taste of sugar.  What most people do not realise is that there are unprocessed whole foods that are sweet and delicious on their own without the need for processed sugar. Fruit, honey and nuts are a great place to begin and form the basis of healthy indulgence in sweet foods that can curb cravings for sugar.

What you put in

Being healthy is a lifestyle choice; it is something you must choose for yourself each day and something you must work at.  We exercise and plan meals and avoid things which could be triggers for unhealthy choices, but often the craving for those triggers remain, nagging to be fulfilled.  Eating healthy sugars is the ideal solution.  Keep snack foods like fresh fruit, fat-free plain yoghurt, almonds and nature’s very own answer to sugar, honey on hand.  Cinnamon is also a great additive for a sweet flavour and can be combined with just about anything for a different twist.

Keep if fresh

Fresh fruits are ideal and the tinned variety tends to steep in syrup and as such may not be as healthy.  Try where possible to stick to plain fat-free dairy products to avoid unnecessary additives and use honey or cinnamon to taste.  Also try new and interesting combinations to keep your cravings at bay.  Use the resources you have available like the internet or recipe books to browse recipes and ideas.

Thinking outside the box

Keeping preparation neat and simple will also assist you in not adding those foods you should avoid.  Think outside of the box and see raisins becoming chocolate sprinkles or honey becoming maple syrup; the mind is a powerful tool.

Make your food look good, add some of your own personal flair and enjoy eating tasty food that is good for you.  Healthy does not have to mean bland and boring.

Tags: eating healthily, healthy lifestyle, recipe book, sugar addiction