As a busy entrepreneur, do you find yourself constantly battling sweet cravings? Do you have frustratingly low energy levels in the middle of the day? If so, you are not alone. Many entrepreneurs seek out sugary snacks during the day, as a way to boost energy levels and reduce stress.

There is a sharp connection between experiencing stress and reaching for the "fun cupboard" that has all the cookies, chocolates, etc. Have you noticed that your sugar cravings seem to intensify when you're feeling overwhelmed and stressed out? As an entrepreneur, you'll definitely encounter stressful days from time to time, but consuming foods high in sugar will actually do more harm than good, and it will have a negative effect on your energy and productivity levels, which is not what you want when you have so much to do in your day!

When you eat sugary snacks, your blood sugar levels increase, forcing your body to secrete insulin and bring your blood sugar levels back to normal. Eating something sweet can often improve your mood and give you a temporary feeling of having the energy that you're looking for. However, once your blood sugar levels drop again, it's quite common to feel tired, sluggish, foggy-brained and irritated. These feelings can lead you to reach for a sweet snack again as a way to "feel better". Do you see how this can become a vicious cycle? This can be a frustrating roller-coaster to be on each day, because your busy schedule requires you to be focussed and energized. The "fun cupboard" is definitely not an entrepreneur's best friend.

So, what should you do to get off this crazy sugar cycle? The first thing is to understand that it is possible to have a healthy relationship to sweet foods while being in control when your sweet tooth begs for more sugar. This is a key part of my work with busy entrepreneurs like yourself. It's not about deprivation; it's about freedom-the freedom to enjoy the foods you love and have sweetness in your life without the side effects or the guilt.

It's also important to understand why you crave what you crave. Perhaps your diet is too restrictive or lacking essential nutrients. A craving for something sweet could mean you need more protein, more exercise, more water or more love in your life. Your body tries to correct the imbalance by sending you a message in the form of a craving. . The key to stopping your sugar cravings is to understand and deliver what your body really needs.

I completely understand how busy you are already, running your business. You're used to giving your attention to multiple things each day. However, I want to encourage you to add YOU to that list of what gets your attention, and one of the best ways to do this is to become more aware of the messages your body is telling you, in particular, when it comes to cravings. As you learn to decipher and respond to your body's cravings, you will create a deep and lasting level of health and balance. The next time you have a craving for something sweet, treat it as a loving message from your body instead of a weakness. Try these tips to respond to those pesky sweet tooth:

*Have a tall glass of water and wait 15 minutes; perhaps you're dehydrated

*Grab a bunch of baby carrots or make a batch of sweet potato fries

*Ask yourself, "What happened just before the sugar craving started?". Sometimes there's a connection between what you're going through during the day and when the craving starts.

*Go for a walk or a quick run. This may be a great distraction as well as a way to provide the energy that your body needs.

It's important to know that your sugar cravings are not the enemy. Having sugar cravings, (believe it or not), is your body's way of getting your attention in order to communicate important information about what it needs.

Author's Bio: 

Milissa Harding is a Certified Holistic Health Coach who teaches new entrepreneurs how to maintain healthy energy levels needed to grow their business and create the lives they truly desire from the inside out. Visit http://www.healthystartcoaching.ca to receive your free copy of "6 Steps to Become a Healthy and Energized Entrepreneur".