By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern
How often do you find yourself craving something sweet? For some, it’s right after meals, as sort of a sweet finish to your savory meal. For others, they happen throughout the day, whether it be a sweet, creamy coffee in the morning, or a sugary snack in the afternoon. Regardless of when these cravings hit, there are actually a few reasons why we experience them, as well as some ways that we can reduce them! 
Often, we attribute our sugar cravings to it just sounding good, or having weak willpower when it comes to sweets. While these are still valid reasons, registered dieticians Ali Bandier and Sarah Olszewski note that sugar cravings can occur for other reasons as well.
One of these reasons is that sugar cravings come when your body needs an energy boost. This could be from either lack of sleep the night prior, or from a lack of proper nutrition throughout the day. Another reason for sugar cravings is a nutritional deficiency in chromium, magnesium, zinc, B vitamins, protein, or healthy fats.
So how can we curb some of these cravings, or keep them from happening in the first place? Bandier suggests that you make sure to eat nutrient dense, balanced meals throughout the day. This will make sure that you’re getting in all of those nutrients that your body needs, as well as keeping it full and fueled to get you through the day. Olszewski says another way to curb sugar cravings is to reduce the amount of sugar you consume in general. She says that the more sugar you consume, the more you’re going to crave it. She also suggests that you prioritize staying hydrated, as a lot of cravings or feelings of hunger are really just your body being thirsty.
With that said, there is nothing wrong with enjoying a sweet treat every now and then. But, if you find yourself wanting these treats too often, it’s important to figure out the root cause and do what you can to address it.
For more health-related articles, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!