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Craving sugar is a natural response to stress. Carb-rich and sugary foods, especially when combined with salt and fat, actually stimulate our brains in much the same way that drugs like cocaine and amphetamines do, providing a temporary relief of feelings of anxiety or depression. In fact, even simply reading about certain foods can trigger a response of desire, craving, or even cause your mouth to water – all of which are normal, natural reactions.

To help get you through the potential roller coaster of emotion and anxiety, here are some of our favorite go-to sugar replacers.

Swerve Bake Mixes [gluten free, grain free]

ProCookie Organic Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip by Julian Bakery

  • 240 calories, 23 grams carbs (5 grams net carbs), 2 grams sugar, 0 grams added sugar

Cookie Dough Keto Bites by Bhu Foods

Flavors includeChocolate Chip , Double Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate Macadamia Cookie Dough

  • 110-130 calories, 6-8 grams carbs, 1 gram sugar, 0 added sugar

Halo Top Ice Cream [e.g Birthday Cake Ice Cream]

  • Per half-cup: 100 calories, 19 grams carbs, 8 grams sugar, 4 grams added sugar

Smart Sweets Gummy Candy

  • Per 2-oz: 90 calories, 0 fat, 33 grams carb (5 net carbs), 28 grams fiber, 3 grams sugar

Peanut Butter Cups | Eat Fit Cookbook, link to recipe featured on WGNO, here

  • 200 calories, 10 grams carbs (1 gram net carb), 0 grams sugar

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Boost your own personal ‘Social Distancing” Toolkit:

  • Download the Eat Fit Smartphone app for healthy recipes, including zero-proof cocktails, mocktails and Eat Fit dishes, along with brand-specific shopping guides for nutritious food + drink to stock up on.
  • Visit www.OchsnerFitness.com for at-home workout videos that will continue to be added over the coming weeks and months.

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Want more from Molly?  Click here to sign up for Nutrition Bites, the Eat Fit weekly e-newsletter with links to her FUELED TV segments here on WGNO, and her articles in NOLA.com and Thrive Global!   Follow Molly on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram:  @MollyKimballRD – and check out her weekly podcast, FUELED Wellness + Nutrition with Molly; just search ‘Molly Kimball’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.