With the holiday season fully upon us, the upcoming months will be filled with the temptations of sugary desserts, bars, candies and cookies. For many weight loss seekers and health-conscious individuals, this can spell trouble.

If you start letting go of your dietary regimen during the holiday season, the trend may very well continue into the following year, potentially erasing any fitness gains you have been able to achieve in previous months.

Likewise, you will want to regularly perform your exercise routine with as much consistency as you were able to in prior months. Even more importantly, is the necessity that you equally ensure that both your nutritional dietary regime and your exercise routine stay on track and as scheduled.

Tips to Successfully Battle Sugar Cravings this Holiday Season

Fortunately, there are ways to fight sugar cravings during the holiday season. Below are 8 tips designed to assist you in your curbing your sugar cravings during the holiday season.

1. Drink Plenty of Water

   Dehydration is often mistaken for hunger, particularly in the form of a sugar craving. Plan a preemptive strike by keeping a glass of water or water bottle with you at all times, and remind yourself to sip regularly. Staying hydrated will help keep your blood pressure in check and minimize general food cravings.

2. Cut Down on Caffeine

   A recent study conducted by nutritionists at Ontario’s University of Guelph suggests that caffeine can raise blood glucose levels by up to 24%. As the effects of caffeine wear off, your blood sugar level lowers as well, resulting in a sugar craving. Minimizing your caffeine intake can reduce the severity of blood sugar peaks and valleys.

3. Get Plenty of Sleep

   Numerous studies have indicated that getting plenty of sleep can boost energy levels, subsequently reducing the likelihood of a craving for sweets. Keep your sleep patterns as consistent as possible on weeknights and weekends, and increase your regular sleep time by 30 minutes during the holidays if at all possible.

4. Eat Sweet Vegetables and Fruits

   If a sugar craving becomes too intense to bear, satisfy it with healthy, naturally sweet fruits and vegetables instead of pie, cake and candy. Fruit juice is another good alternative, but remember to limit your intake as even 100% juice contains lots of sugar, albeit the natural variety.

5. Opt for Natural Sweeteners

   Instead of cane or beet sugar, opt for natural sweeteners such as stevia, palm sugar, brown rice syrup, honey and molasses. Molasses is packed with antioxidants, and so are certain varieties of honey. In general, the darker the honey, the higher the antioxidant content.

6. Carefully Check the Labels of Fat-Free and Low-Fat Foods

   Although it’s generally a good idea to look for the low-fat and no-fat varieties of many foods, you have to be careful to check the sugar content of each. Many low-fat foods drastically increase their sugar content to make up for flavor lost through a lack of fat.

7. Exercise Regularly

   Many people succumb to sugar cravings because it makes them feel happier, at least temporarily. A simple boost to happiness can be achieved through exercise, which releases endorphins and helps distribute oxygen through the body. For cardiovascular exercise, you should be maintaining your target heart rate for at least 20 minutes to achieve an aerobic effect.

8. Engage in Activities that Don’t Center Around Food

   Believe it or not, there’s more to the holidays than just eggnog and spreads of cookies and bars. Plan fun, engaging activities with your family and friends such as sledding, walks and shopping at local arts and crafts markets. Keeping your mind busy and happy will prevent you from obsessing over sweets.

Fight Sugar Cravings: The Bottom Line

Sweets are seemingly everywhere during the holidays, but there are ways to resist cravings and reduce your sugar intake when you do cave to temptation.

Engaging in family activities, getting plenty of sleep and exercise, staying optimally hydrated and reducing your caffeine intake can make you less likely to crave sugar, while eating fruits, vegetables and a limited amount of natural sweeteners can take the edge off of even the most aggressive sugar temptations.