Overcoming Sugar Cravings
Do you crave sugar? Do you find yourself cutting just a little bit more brownie from the pan? Is it hard to stop indulging in sweet treats once you start? Sugar is one of the most addicting substances in our culture. The average American adult eats 22 teaspoons of sugar per day and children eat an average of 32 tsp/day. It is no coincidence that the increase in sugar consumption is related to the increase in chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Refined sugar enters out bloodstream quickly, which stresses our liver, pancreas, and stomach. It weakens our digestive system. This leads to poor nutrient assimilation and nutrient deficiency. Since sugar is devoid of any nutrients, calcium and other minerals may be stripped from our body to properly metabolize it.
Eating excessive sugar may also promote chronic fatigue and low energy. The rapid rise in blood sugar causes large secretions of insulin followed by plummeting glucose levels. This roller coaster effect leaves you with low energy, irritability, and the craving for more sugar. The over-consumption of sugar leads to its increasing storage as fat in the body.
Here are some practical tips to help you curve a craving:
- Eat something sour, like lemon water, or spicy like cinnamon tea to diminish your craving.
- Give your body what it really needs. Take two minutes to get quiet, tune in, and listen. What is the sugar craving a substitute for?
- Eat nutrient dense foods, such as dark leafy greens to give your body a boost of energy. Have a green drink powder to add to water during sugar “emergencies”
- Eat three regular meals a day. This will help stabilize your blood sugar levels and keep your energy even throughout the day. Fill your plate with nutrient dense non-starchy vegetables. Add some high quality protein, healthy fats, and whole grains.
- Eliminating sugar from your diet will create some space. Fill that space with something positive: meditate, practice yoga, read a good book, find a hobby or create some art.
Sugar cravings and caving in to cravings in general can cause a lot of guilt. But for some people it is more than just a lack of willpower. There could be intestinal yeast imbalances, hormonal imbalance or lack of nutrients in your diet. Be loving to and forgiving of yourself! If it helps, add healthy food first and subtract the not-so-healthy food later. Give your body the support it needs, not self-talk or guilt which often exacerbates the addiction.
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For more information on how to detox from sugar and holistic weight-loss contact our new holistic nutritionist, Taylor Zerull: taylorz@rootwholebody.com. Call Root Whole Body at: 503.288.7668 to make an appointment.