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Ozempic Alternatives: How To Stop Sugar Cravings Naturally April 11, 2025
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Ozempic Alternatives: How To Stop Sugar Cravings Naturally
Your cravings are telling you something, and it’s time you stopped and listened. We understand why you might be looking into how to stop sugar cravings because cravings can be debilitating. They’re not just about willpower—they’re a mix of physiological changes happening within the body (such as blood sugar dips), which then affect your stress hormones, which can have a flow-on effect to your sleep, and even your gut microbiome!
If the following symptoms sound familiar, we think you'll find this blog helpful.
• Irritability or shakiness between meals
• Intense desire for sweets after dinner
• Energy crashes around 3–4 pm
• Brain fog or difficulty focusing
• Anxiety or mood swings
How to stop sugar cravings naturally
Calendula - Gentle yet powerful, calendula helps reduce inflammation in the gut and supports lymphatic flow. Chronic inflammation plays a role in insulin resistance, so bitter herbs like calendula which help to soothe, are often an overlooked but valuable tool.
Cravings are often your body calling out for energy or stability. When you feel like something sweet, the key is to support your blood sugar and stress response so you don’t get caught in a cycle of spikes and crashes. You can do this with whole food options and supporting your nervous system, which is easier said than done. But with the right knowledge and tools, you can help make this process a lot easier.
How do drugs like Ozempic help with sugar cravings?
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a term you’ve probably heard circulating a lot recently, especially as many celebrities turn to GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic for weight loss.
Interestingly, the body naturally undertakes this process – it’s just that pharmaceuticals have advanced and exaggerated the response – hence the injectables we see on the market today.
Interestingly, the body naturally undertakes this process – it’s just that pharmaceuticals have advanced and exaggerated the response – hence the injectables we see on the market today.
Here’s an easy breakdown of how weight-loss drugs like Ozempic work, the risks they pose and how you can help support this process naturally instead.
How does GLP-1 work?
GLP-1 is a hormone that is released in your gut when you eat. It helps to slow digestion, reduce your appetite, and signal fullness. It tells your brain, “Hey, I’ve had enough.” It also helps regulate insulin and blood sugar. Once you eat something, your body will produce GLP-1 to divert energy to where you need it - like your brain, immune system, nervous system or microbiome- to ensure you’re getting enough energy.
After eating, your digestive system and enzymes stimulate the release of GLP-1, which goes into the blood to improve digestive function. It is then broken down by an enzyme called DDP4. DDP4 is released about an hour after eating. This enzyme breaks down the GLP-1 within your body, turning its actions off.
How do drugs like Ozempic help with sugar cravings?
The pharmaceutical GLP-1 agonists, like Ozempic, stop the DPP4 from being released, which means that GLP-1 is constantly working within the body, which is why it is used to help with diabetes. This leads to a feeling of fullness and a decreased desire for food.
Pharmaceutical doses like that found in Ozempic are at a much higher strength than the medication that was being used for diabetes. This is why so many people can lose weight with this medication.
Side effects and long-term issues
However, this high dose can have serious side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, hypoglycaemia, pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, dietary insufficiencies and metabolic dysfunction. Another consideration is that the body is not supposed to be in this state long-term, so we have no idea of the ongoing effect this will have on people and their bodies.
How to stop sugar cravings naturally
One easy way to help reduce your sugar cravings is to include more bitters in your diet. Bitter taste receptors (which aren’t just on your tongue—they’re in your gut too) stimulate the release of GLP-1. That means when you taste something bitter—like a dash of globe artichoke or orange peel extract—it kicks off a cascade of beneficial effects that help you feel full, balance blood sugar, and reduce cravings.
Plants for blood sugar balance
Globe artichoke - Globe artichoke leaf is a classic liver-supportive bitter. It stimulates bile flow and digestion while also supporting cholesterol metabolism and blood sugar regulation. Plus, its bitter compounds give those GLP-1 receptors a little nudge.
Orange peel - Zesty and aromatic, orange peel is a beautifully balanced bitter that helps digestion. It enhances bile flow, supports the gut, and contributes to the activation of bitter receptors, making it great for sugar cravings and sluggish digestion after heavy meals. It is in a good cocktail for a reason!
We use all three of these plants in our Liver Bitters.
Other practical tips for balancing blood sugar
- Eat a balanced diet - Eat regular meals with good quality protein, healthy fats, and fibre
- Support your nervous system - If you're stressed, you often consume more sugar or carbohydrates than you need. You could consider a daily nervous system support like our Rest and Calm or a good quality magnesium.
- Take bitters when you want a chocolate or right after dinner, if that is when you normally go for the ice cream, as they can help with cravings.
- Lastly, please don’t eliminate all sugar - it makes it nearly impossible to stick to a plan. We are designed to love sweet things, so don’t deny yourself the small joy your chocolate gives you.
