Eating enough nutrient-rich foods throughout the day helps maintain energy, activity, and a feeling of fullness. However, if one experiences an unexpected strong desire for sugar, the ideal healthy solution is to have a nutritious snack. According to the website "Eat This Not That," Dr. Lauren Manaker, author of "The First Time Mom's Pregnancy Cookbook and Feeding Male," states that one of the best foods to snack on to crush sugar cravings is dried plums, also known as prunes.
Dr. Manaker explains that consuming dried plums can help reduce food cravings for several reasons. They "satisfy hunger," as a study published in the Journal of Nutrition Bulletin found that individuals who snacked on prunes reported feeling less hungry and consumed fewer calories overall, with better appetite control compared to study participants who snacked on raisins or beans.
Eating dried plums is a reliable way to overcome sugar cravings, as they offer a sweet taste without added sugar, helping eliminate the addictive properties of sugar in the brain's neurochemistry. Dr. Manaker notes that "prunes are a natural fruit that can satisfy the tastes of sweet lovers, and unlike candy, they contain natural antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, along with fiber, making them a filling food."
Each dried plum contains 3.5 grams of natural sugars and 0.5 grams of fiber. Dr. Manaker advises those following a weight loss diet that includes exercise to keep a bag of prunes in the refrigerator. Whenever they feel the urge for sweets or sugar-laden foods, they can snack on them to effectively aid in sticking to their healthy diet and achieving their goal of an ideal weight.
