Archive · 9 Dec 2025
Smriti Mandhana's Sugar Cravings: Expert Explains Why This Happens
Smriti Mandhana, a famous Indian cricketer, recently talked about how she has stopped craving sugar.
She used to love sweets, but now she only eats them to make her mom happy, not because she wants to.
She explained that when she's home, she might have a few jalebis (a type of Indian sweet) just to see her mom's happiness.
A diet expert named Kanikka Malhotra explained that when people stop craving sugar, it's because their brain changes and doesn't find sugar as rewarding anymore.
The gut also changes and prefers healthier foods.
The expert also said that it's okay to have sweets sometimes, but it's important to have a balanced approach to eating.
She suggested replacing sugar with healthier alternatives like fruit, nuts, or dark chocolate to manage emotional eating.
Smriti Mandhana has reduced her sugar intake and now eats sweets only to make her mom happy.
She explained that she eats sweets like jalebis only during special occasions and when she's home in Sangli.
Kanikka Malhotra, a consultant dietician, explained that reducing sugar cravings is due to neuroplasticity in the brain's reward circuits.
The gut microbiome also changes, favoring fiber and complex carbs over simple sugars.
Expert suggests mindful, planned indulgences in sweets to maintain a healthy relationship with food.
- Who
- Smriti Mandhana, an Indian cricketer, and Kanikka Malhotra, a consultant dietician and diabetes educator.
- What
- Smriti Mandhana's journey of reducing sugar intake and the scientific explanation behind it.
- When
- The interview was published on YouTube, and the article was published on indianexpress.com.
- Where
- The interview and article are set in India, with references to Smriti Mandhana's home in Sangli.
- Why
- To understand the process of reducing sugar cravings and the emotional and scientific aspects involved.
- Person
- Smriti Mandhana
- Occupation
- Indian Cricketer
- Expert
- Kanikka Malhotra
- Expert's Profession
- Consultant Dietician and Diabetes Educator
- Key Reason for Reducing Sugar
- Neuroplasticity in the brain's reward circuits
- Healthy Alternatives to Sugar
- Fruit, nuts, dark chocolate, traditional Indian sweets
- Key Strategy for Emotional Eating
- Mindful rituals and healthy coping strategies