SUGAR ADDICTION IS A REAL THING
Sugar has not only been found to contribute to a number of health issues but research shows that it can be even more addicting than cocaine. Scary right?
It has been found that the link between sugar and addictive behavior is due to the fact that sugar stimulates the same reward circuits in the brain that are activated by cocaine.
10 TIPS TO STOP THE CRAVINGS
1. DRINK WATER
Dehydration can cause cravings. Make hydration fun by enjoying sparkling spring water with a squeeze of orange, lemon, or lime or a herbal tea.
2. REMOVE SUGAR FROM YOUR PANTRY AND AVOID IT WHEN SHOPPING
It’s way harder to say no when it is staring at you every time you open the pantry. Remove the tempatation and that is the first step.
3. CHANGE YOUR STATE.
Sometimes when we have a craving, a change in state can make it vanish almost immediately. Go for a walk,call a friend, listen to music, or read a book.
4. MANAGE YOUR STRESS.
Stress management is essential to a healthy lifestyle. If you had a demanding day at work, instead of reaching for a chocolate bar or bag of lollies- take a bath, meditate, exercise or cook a healthy meal instead. Do something that helps you relax and allows your body to find calm.
5. HAVE A HEALTHY TREAT EACH DAY.
This could be berries with cream, a bliss ball or a couple of pieces of over 80% dark chocolate. Find a healthy option that satisfies you.
6. INCREASE NUTRIENT-DENSE FOODS.
When we nourish our bodies with whole, REAL foods, cravings tend to disappear….trust me- they do!
7. DETERMINE THE SUGAR ELIMINATION APPROACH THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU.
Cutting all sugar out cold turkey works well for some. However, for others, it leads to immediate failure.
If this is you, then allow yourself one small treat daily. After the last bite, call it quits. Finding a way to indulge occasionally so it can become a lifestyle is critical to long-term success.
8. READ LABELS.
If you consume anything from a package, read the ingredients and look at the number of grams of sugar per serving. Sugar is hidden in everything and may not always be obvious as it can fall under many different names. Aim to choose snacks that has less than 5g of sugar per serving.
9. SET SOME GOALS AND INTENTIONS.
On a piece of paper, write down your “why” for eliminating sugar from your life and set a goal for what you want to accomplish by eliminating it. Place it on your fridge or a place where you will see it every day, and at the end of each week celebrate your sugar-free successes.
If you find there are failures, don’t be too hard on yourself. Re-set your intention and goal and determine one thing you will do differently going forward.
10. USE AFFIRMATIONS.
Affirmations are wonderful for so many reasons and can even help you shed your addiction to sugar. The words “I Am” are powerful and show us that we can do anything. Our beliefs are habitual thinking patterns, and when we are constantly telling ourselves we need to have sugar, it becomes a habit. Bad habits can be broken and replaced by habits that serve us in a more beneficial way. Pay attention to the thoughts and beliefs you have around sugar. Each day spend a few minutes saying affirmations such as, “I am determined to eat more greens.” and, “I am in control of my choices.”
10+ : GET GOOD QUALITY SLEEP
Did you know when we are tired we are hungrier? 25% hungrier on average. Which then leads us to craving quick fix, high sugary foods.
Try and increase the quality of your sleep rather than the quantity. Doing things like having a nighttime routine, no screens 1-hour pre bedtime, relaxing, reading, dark room, clear your mind, limit caffeine 10 hours before bed & doing daily exercise can help with a better nights sleep.
Let us know if you need support with your nutrition by contacting us.