Are You Addicted to Sugar?

Are you addicted to sugar? Did you know that cravings, withdrawal & relapse symptoms of sugar addicts are similar to those of cocaine & heroin abusers?

Do you even know how much sugar you are actually consuming? A typical American consumes 150 pounds of sugar per year!

Surveys show that sugar consumption has increased almost annually since 1982 and is related to an increase in soft drink and processed foods consumption. Not only does sugar increase the risk of obesity that can lead to other diseases, it may also disrupt one’s ability to think clearly due to impaired brain cell signaling.

 

 

Here are a few tips I share with my clients to deal with sugar addition and have clearer thinking.

  1. Reduce or eliminate caffeine.
    The ups and downs of caffeine include dehydration and blood sugar swings, and may cause sugar cravings to become more frequent.
  2. Drink more water.
    Sometimes sweet cravings are a sign of dehydration. Before you go for the sugar, have a glass of water and wait a few minutes to see what happens. Try putting a sprig of mint or some fruit in your water if you find you need a little “help” getting your daily intake of water.
  3. Eat sweet vegetables and fruit.
    They are naturally sweet, healthy and delicious. The more you eat, the less you’ll crave sugar.
  4. Avoid chemicalized, artificial sweeteners and foods with added sugar.
    Read labels carefully and look for words like corn syrup, evaporated cane juice and high-fructose corn syrup. Even foods naturally sweet, like applesauce, often contain added sugar! Choose sweeteners like pure maple syrup, dried fruit, or dates instead.
  5. Get physically active.
    Start with calming activities like walking or yoga. Start with 10 minutes a day and gradually increase. Being active helps balance blood sugar levels, boosts energy, and reduces tension which will eliminate the need to self-medicate with sugar!
  6. Get more sleep, rest, and relaxation.
    Simple carbohydrates, such as sugar, are the most readily usable forms of energy for an exhausted body and mind. If you are in a chronic state of stress and/or sleep deprivation, your body will crave the quickest form of energy there is – sugar.
  7. Evaluate the amount of animal food you eat.
    According to yin-yang principles of eating, eating too much animal food (yang) can lead to cravings for sweets (yin).
  8. 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.
  9. Experiment with spices.
    Coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom will naturally sweeten your foods and reduce cravings.
  10. Finally, slow down and find sweetness in non-food ways!
    Cravings often have a psychological component. When life becomes sweet enough itself, no additives are needed!

I hope these tips help you to reduce your sugar cravings! Contact me if you’d like to learn more ways to curb the cravings and understand why you may have the cravings in the first place!

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply