Healthy Treats for the Winter Season

How to Reduce Sugar Cravings

Sugar cravings often affect us at specific times during the day: after lunch or in the afternoon, for example. We easily get used to giving in to these urges. However, you don’t need to abandon sweets from your diet entirely. It’s all about balance and being creative in finding healthy alternatives to traditional treats:

• Drink unsweetened tea: Sugar cravings can be brought on by dehydration. A cup of aromatic tea, with fresh ginger and mint for example, can serve as a delicious alternative to sweets.
• Have some fruit: Fruits do contain sugar, and should be consumed moderately. However, some apple slices with a bit of almond butter (or any nut butter) can satisfy your sugar cravings and provide healthy fats.
• Avoid artificial sweeteners: These can actually increase your sugar cravings and should be avoided. If you want to sweeten your tea, smoothies, or other foods, use a bit of honey or agave nectar instead.
• Leave sufficiently long intervals between meals: 4-6 hours are recommended during daytime, and at least 12 hours during the night.

Want to try one of these tips and let us know how it worked? Share your experience with the LymphConnect community here.

Healthy Alternatives for Sweet Desires

Are you still looking for inspiration? Why not try this easy and healthy cookie recipe? You only need 5 ingredients:

• 1 cup of dates (soak them for a few minutes in warm water)
• 1 banana
• 2 tablespoons of nut butter (unsweetened)
• 3/4 cup of almond flour (or any other flour)
• 3/4 cup of oats
• Optional: dark chocolate chips or other toppings

Simply put all ingredients into a food processor and mix them until you get a homogenous dough. You can add toppings as you wish. Then form the cookies and bake for about 15 – 20 minutes in a preheated oven (175°C or 347°F). Et voilà! Your cookies are ready!

For more information about healthy eating and living, have a look at our Nutrition Guide on LymphConnect.