Nightly sugar cravings are particularly common and are often the biggest challenge for those seeking to create healthy and stainable dietary changes. By allowing yourself to enjoy a delicious and nutritious warm cacao drink before bed, look forward to a more restful night’s sleep with the peace of mind that you are doing right by your body and avoid binge eating.

If you are a self-confessed night-time snacker and are seeking a healthy swap so that you are not left feeling deprived, nor guilty, consider this simple, warm cacao drink recipe.

In clinical practice, late night sugar cravings can allude to several imbalances within the body such as a magnesium deficiency, blood sugar imbalance, cortisol imbalance or that you have not consumed enough healthy fats and/or proteins throughout the day.

To nip these cravings in the bud, it is important to consume healthy fats as they satiate your appetite and make you feel full. Healthy fats, such as coconut oil, also stabilise your blood sugar levels as they are digested slowly. As it takes longer for the body to process fats, energy is released at a slower, more sustained rate. In contrast, sugars and refined carbohydrates spike your blood sugar levels quickly and then result in a ‘sugar crash’ not long after. Therefore, in order to foster a restful night’s sleep, it is wise to avoid sugars and refined carbohydrates before bed as they can over stimulate you and can affect the quality of your sleep.

Curb your nightly cravings with this simple, delicious, magnesium rich hot Cacao drink before bed tonight!

HOT CACAO RECIPE

Dairy free  |  Gluten free  |  Refined sugar free  |  Vegan option

Serves 2 mugs

INGREDIENTS

-          1 tbsp cacao powder

-          1 tbsp coconut oil

-          2 cups plant milk of choice

-          1 sprinkle cinnamon

-          1 tsp honey or rice malt syrup (vegan)

-          1 pinch Himalayan Salt

METHOD

1.       Place a small to medium sized saucepan in low heat and add milk.

2.       Add the cacao powder and stir with a spoon for 1 minute until lumps smooth.

3. Add the remaining ingredients and continue stirring for 2 minutes or until coconut oil is completely melted.

4.       Take saucepan off the heat and carefully pour into your favourite mug to enjoy!