I've read that calcium, magnesium, and zinc deficiencies cause sugar cravings. You can ask your doctor to test your levels of these nutrients or try supplementing. I've been low in all of them (shown by tests) and almost everything I read says that almost everyone is deficient in magnesium, but it's important to remember that more isn't always better.
If you get a craving for sugar, first try drinking some water... again, I've read if we crave sugar or salt, we might be dehydrated. Making sure we drink plenty of water every day might be one way to help control the cravings.
I've also read that low protein causes sugar cravings as well, so I eat apples with peanut butter - that gives me something sweet (apple) and both protein and fat from the peanut butter to help with the craving and to keep from getting hungry again right away. I buy peanut butter in single serving containers to keep from pigging out on the whole jar... :-)
In addition, typically, if we don't give in to a craving within 10 minutes, it goes away, so you can try going for a walk, folding a load of clothes, sweeping the floor, cleaning a drawer - you get the idea - before you eat something sweet. Then stop to think if you're really hungry; have you eaten a meal or is it time to eat? If it's close to mealtime, perhaps you can bump your mealtime up a bit or snack on a small piece of fruit. If it's between meals, try eating an apple or pear instead of opting for candy, cake, cookies or other sweets. Dark chocolate (75% cacao) is also supposed to cut cravings.
Last, but not least, avoid replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners actually cause worse sugar cravings than real sugar does. I find that either Stevia or raw honey works best for sweetening if I really have to have my food sweeter, although I'm learning that most food is naturally sweet enough but there are some herbs/spices I use, too that help if needed, including ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, etc.
Anyway, maybe there's something here that might help...
Sugarfree fibers/proteins-rich shakes save my life, as well as regular healthy snacks (nuts, dried fruits), drink water.
My best strategy: don't buy the stuff you crave when you're at the grocery store. When the cravings hit you, you won't find anything and you will end up eating fruits instead!
We're in the same boat, mama. Since I couldn't give up sugar ever, I have trained my mind to consume it once a day and in a very limited quantity, I try and eat something sweet at the beginning of the day, I guess they say, it is better off that way!
My wife just bought something called - Cocoa almond cream spread, it's delicious. I can't tell you about my temptations here. :p
I've created a work around to live with sugar. I lift heavy and I run 2kms every day post work out. Works in my favour, I am guessing.
You could try intermittent fasting.