You will read sugar addiction can lead to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. Plus it is also one of the biggest contributors to low energy and feelings of being overwhelmed – including generalized anxiety. It has even been scientifically linked to being a contributor to developing clinical depression. That being said, eating some sugar is pretty much unavoidable in our modern diet. This article will help you make sense of it all.
The following tips to kicking sugar cravings were posted by people who struggled with sugar addiction and ultimately got it under control. In addition to these practical tips, listening to the self-hypnosis audio download, Overcome Sugar Addiction, will put you on the path to better health – with less sugar. Almost 10,000 people have downloaded it to date.
1. Enjoy Sugar In Moderation
As many experts will tell you, moderation is key to maintaining a balanced diet. It’s true that some foods do offer better nutritional value than others, you don’t necessarily have to stop enjoying everything that you enjoy. Refined sugar isn’t a bad thing in itself. It can actually have a place in a your healthy diet. What’s important is that you understand what you need nutritionally and where what foods supply it, so you can take control of balancing your eating of foods for pleasure, nutrition and fuel.
2. Increase the frequency of meals.
Skipping meals can led you to crave sugar. One way to handle that is to develop a plan to eat several smaller meals throughout the day.
Many people think that the calories saved by skipping meals will cause you to lose weight faster. Nutritional experts agree that doing that usually leads to failure. When you deprive your self of food for too long, you’ll be more likely to crave the temporary boost that refined sugars bring and overindulge the next time that you eat.
3. Increase Protein
Eating a protein-rich diet has been shown to reduce cravings for less healthy foods, including sugar. In one study, people who added protein to their breakfast reported fewer cravings for “savory and sweet” foods. The protein eaters also had higher levels of dopamine—which means they reaped the rewards of eating yummy foods, even when those foods weren’t loaded with sugar.
4. Don’t Use Sugar For Energy
While sugar may give you a quick rush of energy initially, the ensuing “crash” can leave you feeling even more tired than before you consumed it, according to a 2006 study. You’re better off reaching for complex carbohydrates like veggies, fruits and whole grains, which pack plenty of nutrients in addition to energy-boosting glucose.
5. Gradually Reduce Sugar
Rather than using sugar-free products, slowly reduce the amount of sugar that you use. As you do you’ll become more sensitive to sugar and not need as much in your iced tea or baking (as examples). Although artificial sweeteners do have the taste of sugar without adding calories, one concern is that that they could cause people to seek out the “lost” calories from other foods. Regular consumption also conditions your taste buds to expect the extra sweetness, rather than training them to enjoy clean, whole foods.
6. Search For Sugar Sorces
You’ll be surprised to find out how much sugar is hiding in many your favorite foods. The typical American consumes around 31 teaspoons (124 grams) of added sugar every day, which is equivalent to 500 extra calories. Get in the habit of reading food labels and researching foods that you’re suspicious of containing extra sugar.
7. Taste Bud Reset
The most important thing to do when trying to kick a sugar addiction is to stay away from sugar long enough to ‘reset your taste buds.’ Try eating mainly natural, unprocessed foods for a month. That’s foods that are bought in their natural form and cooked at home. Instead of focusing on not eating sugar, focus on eating real, healthy foods, like lean steak, crunchy red bell peppers and sweet raspberries. By focusing on what you can eat instead of what you can’t, you’ll find it much easier to avoid excess sugar.
8. Replace “Sweet with “Savory”
Throw your taste buds a curve ball: When you crave something sweet, eat something savory like a pickle or olive. That may satisfy your need for something intense while not reinforcing the sugar craving. This technique is especially effective for those on a low-carb diet. The saltier, the better.
9. Eat More Fermented Foods
Fermented foods like yogurt, miso, kefir, sauerkraut, fermented tofu and pickled foods—contain probiotics, also known as the “good” bacteria that help achieve healthy digestion and diminish sugar cravings. Instead of reaching for candy or cookies, try incorporating some of these nine fermented foods into your diet.
10. Relax and Forget About The Craving
Instead of looking for a snack, replace that time with a quick meditation session and put the sugar craving literally, out of your mind. Better yet, listen to the audio session, Overcome Sugar Addiction for a lasting cure.
With a few smart swaps and some good old-fashioned willpower, it is possible to cut back your sugar intake and curb even the strongest cravings. Between improved heart health, a brighter mood, more restful sleep and a slimmer physique, you’ll likely find that the benefits far outweigh the momentary sweetness.
