Do you constantly crave things like chocolate, cookies, cakes, donuts, and candy?! Well, then you might be a sugar addict! It’s okay, I am a reformed sugar addict. You’re speaking to a girl who used to go into a store, buy a full cake and lie that it’s my “friend’s birthday” when asked just so I could have a full cake! Sigh. Talk about a problem!
Well, I’m here to tell you there’s hope for you! If I can do it you can too. Your taste buds are constantly regenerating, so you have a continuous opportunity to modify your diet and cravings. The first step in getting rid of your addiction is to understand the effects of it. These effects can include, migrane headaches, diabetes, acne, extra gut and love handles, tooth decay, cancer growth and gout. The list goes on. Now, this is not to say you’ll never have a cookie, or a piece of chocolate or cupcake again. It’s just to help you eliminate those as part of your daily/weekly diet. Once in a while is fine. Here are some helpful tips to help you deal with your addiction. You can do it!!
Reduce or eliminate caffeine. The ups and downs of caffeine include dehydration and blood sugar swings, causing sugar cravings to be more frequent. Try drinking tea instead. Especially green tea or lemon ginger tea.
Drink water. Sometimes sweet cravings are a sign of dehydration. Before you go for the sugar, have a glass of water and then wait a few minutes to see what happens.
Eat sweet vegetables and fruit. They are sweet, healthy and delicious. The more you eat, the less you’ll crave sugar.
Use gentle sweets. Avoid artificial sweeteners and foods with added sugar. Use gentle sweeteners like maple syrup, brown rice syrup, dried fruit, stevia, barley malt and agave nectar.
Get physically active. Start with simple activities, like walking or yoga. Start with 10 minutes a day and gradually increase. It will help balance your blood sugar levels, boost your energy, and reduce tension without medicating yourself with sugar!
Get more sleep, rest and relaxation. When you are tired or stressed, your body will crave energy in the form of sugar. These cravings are often a result of being sleep-deprived, going to bed late or waking up early, sometimes for months and years on end.
Eliminate fat-free or low-fat packaged snack-foods.These foods contain high quantities of sugar to compensate for lack of flavor and fat, which will send you on the roller-coaster ride of sugar highs and lows.
Experiment with spices. Coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom will naturally sweeten your foods and reduce cravings.
Slow down and find sweetness in non-food ways! You body does not biologically need sugar, but it does long for hugs, time with friends, outside time, workouts, massages, etc. When life becomes sweet enough itself, no additives are needed!
