In our earlier blog post – Why do we crave for sweets after meal? we discussed about reasons for our sweet craving. While giving in to the craving and consuming artificial sweetener laden food might not be a good idea, we can consume some naturally sweet food, which do not contain artificial sweeteners, but can also satisfy your sweet cravings.
Here are some naturally sweet yet nutritious food.
Fresh fruits (seasonal) – Fresh fruits contain natural sugar fructose which does not cause a drastic increase in blood sugars. They also have the added advantage of providing numerous vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants which improve the body’s disease fighting ability and protect from environmental stress. Also the high fiber content of fruits provides satiety and prevents rapid increase in blood sugar.
Dates- Dried dates are extremely sweet in taste and can help to curb the sweet craving which is why it is increasingly being used in diabetic sweets alongwith dried figs. They contain natural form of sugar and substantial amounts of iron and fiber.
Figs- Dried figs also have a sweet taste and are used as the base for sweets made of dried fruits (pista, almonds) for diabetics. Figs contain large amounts of fiber and hence soaked dried figs often serve as a laxative, especially in old age.
Raisins- Raisins contain good amounts of iron and are quick source of energy because of their high carbohydrate content. Yet again, the form of sugar present causes a sustained release of blood sugars thereby providing a feeling of fullness for longer period of time and maintaining good energy levels.
Fruit yoghurt- Fat free-yoghurt or curd flavoured with naturally sweet fruits such as strawberries, pineapple, grapes or mangoes can satisfy the sweet tooth at the end of the meal or in-between hunger craving. Milk products also contain tryptophan which can help to increase serotonin levels.
It is advisable to not rely on artificial sweeteners to overcome sweet cravings. Research has shown that using more quantity of artificial sweetener may in fact increase overall calorie intake and cravings for sweet since these sweeteners are hundred times sweeter than normal sugar and disrupt body’s ability to count calories. Also, the body does not know how to metabolize these sugars resulting in their accumulation in the body over a period of time.
Selecting naturally sweet food products from nature is the best way to nurture the sweet craving with the added benefit of providing some nourishment to the body. However, if you suffer from chronic condition like diabetes, you may consult your physician who can guide you about the food you can consume. In additions, you can make use of the eKincare platform to assess, track and stay informed about your health on a continuous basis.