Many people struggle persistently with intense desires to eat sweets. Healthcare professionals have identified this as a major barrier to eating healthily.

Cravings are driven more by your brain's desire for a "reward" than by your body's actual need for food at the time.

There's nothing wrong with giving in to cravings occasionally, so long as you can limit yourself to just one bite. However, giving in to sugar cravings is the worst thing you can do if you have a history of binge eating and overeating whenever you get a taste of sugary foods.

By adhering to these three steps, you will be able to put an end to your desire for sugary foods forever.

1. If You're Craving, Eat A Healthy Meal

Keep in mind that wanting something is not the same as needing something, like food. The brain isn't asking for fuel, but rather, it wants something that will trigger a large surge of dopamine in the reward system. It's hard to resist the temptation to eat whatever it is you're craving when you're already hungry.

True, most people have a hard time resisting their cravings when they're paired with hunger. Eating a healthy meal right away is one of the most effective ways to combat cravings when you're feeling hungry. Make sure you always have healthy food on hand by preparing a variety of meals and snacks.

High-protein foods, like meat, fish, and eggs, are excellent for stopping your hunger in its tracks. Having a craving for sugary junk food can make real food seem less appealing than the alternative. On the other hand, if you need to lose weight, persistence will pay off in the end.

2. Walk Outside

Another approach that might work is going for a brisk walk outside in the open air. If you already enjoy running, then you'll love running even more.

This serves a dual purpose. First, you're increasing the distance between yourself and the food you're craving. Second, getting some exercise can help because it triggers the release of endorphins, or "feel good" chemicals, in the brain.

If you can't work out in the great outdoors, then do as many rounds of burpees, push-ups, body-weight squats, or whatever other exercise you like that uses only your own body weight as you can handle.

3. Have a Steamy Bath or Shower

Those who suffer from sugar cravings may find that a hot shower or bath helps to alleviate some of their symptoms. The water should be warm enough to be on the verge of being uncomfortable rather than hot enough to cause skin damage.

Allowing the water to run down your back and over your shoulders is an excellent method of warming up. Spend at least five to ten minutes there.

If you've been in a sauna for a long time, you might feel "dazed" when you get out of the shower. To some extent, this is an expected consequence of taking a steamy shower. If you reach that point, you probably won't feel hungry anymore.