How to deal with your sweet tooth

Your sweet tooth is not your enemy – it is your friend in balance.

Most of us know the feeling: that little inner voice that beckons when we walk past the bakery or open the snack/candy cabinet in the evening. It’s our sweet tooth speaking – and it’s not an enemy. In fact, the brain is hardwired to love sweets. Sugar provides quick energy and was once not readily available. Today, it’s just available everywhere, and so the challenge is finding the balance.

Instead of fighting your sweet tooth, you can work with it – and make pleasure something you control, instead of it controlling you.

Why sugar feels irresistible!

Sugar: Sugar stimulates the brain's reward center and provides a short-term feeling of well-being.

Blood sugar curve: Blood sugar rises quickly, but also falls significantly quickly, and therefore the brain again demands stimulation/more sugar.

WHO recommendation: Adults should limit added sugars to a maximum of 10% of daily energy intake (preferably less than 5%). For an adult, this corresponds to approximately 25–50 g per day (6–12 teaspoons).

Hidden sugar: Sugar is not only found in sweets and cakes, but also in breakfast cereals, yoghurts, sauces and drinks.

Balance rather than prohibition: Research shows that strict prohibitions often increase desire – while conscious enjoyment helps with control.

Drop the fight and make active choices

Instead of saying “I can’t eat that”, ask a few clarifying questions:

Why do I feel like this right now?

Do I need energy, am I in a bad mood, am I bored – or is it “just” fun?

When you put it into words and say it out loud, you increase your awareness of the cause and become better at making active choices.

If you agree with yourself that now is the time to enjoy something sweet, remember to savor every mouthful. Taste it, do it slowly, and notice how it feels.

That way you actually get more satisfaction out of less..

Sweets are not fuel for your body

Cake, candy, and soda aren’t “bad,” but they’re also not what builds muscle, keeps your immune system strong, or provides steady, long-lasting energy. Think of sweets as pure indulgence and a healthy diet as your body’s fuel. Cravings are often signals from your body that it’s running out of fuel.

Friends in balance

When your body gets the right fuel like protein, fiber, vegetables, and good fats, it also becomes easier to control your sweet tooth. Your sweet tooth will still be there, but now you are in control of when you want to indulge.

I myself have been quite addicted to sugar, but with these small micro-steps I took more and more control, and today I enjoy it in small amounts. My daily STAI also helps with stable blood sugar.