It is never a surprise to find yourself craving for the next meal or snack. Many people do have very healthy appetites all throughout the day. But, do you ever find yourself craving for food that is particularly sweet? Like, chocolate, candies, caramels and the like? Ah yes, a good number of people do enjoy a special appetite for sweets.

Now, don’t feel guilty. For most people, the association of sweets as a reward for a good day’s work has its roots to childhood rearing. Do you remember when your doctor offers you a lollipop in exchange for a well-behaved check-up with him? Or, do you recall your mom giving you an extra slice of cake after you’ve helped her tidy up the house? These little efforts of reward have slowly but steadily laid the foundation of your appetite for sweets during your adult years.

Nevertheless, just like almost everything in the world, there is a scientific explanation to this appetite for sweets. It was discovered by scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, constant stress inflicted on lab rats initiated a natural desire to seek pleasing activities like eating sugary foods. To relate this to humans, sweet cravings may be triggered by tensions that consequently result in your body’s release of hormones called epinephrine and cortisol. These hormones create energy in the form of blood sugar. As a result, your body reacts to stress by increasing your appetite for sweets.

ALTHOUGH THERE IS REALLY NOTHING WRONG WITH AN OCCASIONAL SWEET TREAT, A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN ITS DESIRE AND INDULGENCE WILL RESULT TO UNHEALTHY CONSEQUENCES TO YOUR BODY — LIKE UPSURGES IN BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL THAT LEADS TO UNWELCOME MOOD SWINGS AND, MORE EXCESSIVELY, TO TYPE 2 DIABETES.

HERE ARE A FEW SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO CURB THAT APPETITE FOR SWEETS:

-TRY TAKING AN AYURVEDIC HERB KNOWN AS GURMAR (GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE). THIS ‘DESTROYER OF SUGAR’ SLOWS DOWN THE ABSORPTION OF SUGAR INTO THE BLOOD VESSELS, THEREBY, STAVING YOUR APPETITE FOR SWEETS AS A RESULT.

-Take a serving of bitter foods like arugula, endive, radicchio or chicory. Chinese herbalists believe that bitter foods curbs appetite for sweets.

-Enjoy healthy servings of carefully selected fruits. Some fruits help keep blood sugar steady like berries, apples and pears. Stay away from excessive intake of pineapple and watermelon.

-Take a hike. When you are hit with the next sweet craving, distract yourself by taking a stroll until the craving passes.

Lastly, if your appetite for sweets has taken over your will power, ask for help. Behavioral therapy can help.