Could It Be True The Real Test
Somewhat in disbelief of this miraculous cure from sugar addiction, I decided to test it. ;I went to the grocery store and stood in the candy aisle, looking at all the tricksters who used to call out my name. ;I even gave myself full permission to indulge. ;Nothing. ;Not even a hint of desire or craving. ;Then I moved over to the ice cream aisle taking in all the flavors with my eyes and trying to tempt myself by imagining the taste. ;Nada. ;I was totally amazed. I really was free! ;If you knew me well, you would know what a miracle this truly is. ;It didnt happen overnightbut it did happenand it can happen to you.
Has sugar got a hold on you?
How would your life change if you could free yourself from sugars grip?
Id love to hear your story in the comments section below!
Addicted To Sugar Here’s How To Kick The White Stuff For Good
Sugar addiction is no laughing matter, in fact research has shown it is as addictive as cocaine and cigarettes, and humans actually binge on sugar in the same way as hard drugs.
And our nations love of sugar comes at a high price too, as the NHS revealed that obesity is now costing the taxpayer £16 billion a year.
Although there have been recent developments that suggest sugar could finally be replaced by fungi that makes food taste less bitter – reducing the need for sweetener – there is no doubt that the sugar crisis is here to stay.
Like withdrawing off any drug, reducing or cutting out sugar can come with side-effects: headaches, sluggishness and even flu-like symptoms. But trust us, its worth it.
So if youre considering weaning yourself off sugar, try these tips for success:
The Value Of Sugar Detox
I am well-versed in the value of ridding the body of excess sugar. For more than;30;years, I have incorporated sugar detox into treatments for countless patients suffering from chronic health problems. I have also seen thousands of people whose chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia were aggravated by their sweet tooth.
I also understand the problem firsthand. A former sugar addict myself, I came down with chronic fatigue syndrome in 1975. Eliminating my sugar addiction was an important part of my recovery.
Sugar addiction is the canary in the coal mine. It usually points to a larger problem that is also dragging you down. We dont have anything against sugar. We simply dont want you feeling poorly and getting sick because of it. In fact, we want you to feel great! And most of you will when you treat the problems accompanying your sugar addiction. Ready to get off of the sugar roller coaster? Were happy to guide the way.
The basics of sugar detox are, of course, diet relatedthe standard method used to overcome sugar addiction. But an even deeper level of treatment is necessary to produce wellness. If you have tried the cold turkey approach to sugar addiction without nutritional strategies, treatment guidelines, and support, you probably found success elusive. Thats because getting rid of the sugar is but one step in an overall comprehensive approach that must address the mind, body, and spirit.
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Transitioning To A Healthier Diet
I actually started changing my diet not as a way to overcome my sugar addiction, but simply to eat more healthfully for its own sake. ;I started out by adding more fruits and vegetables into my diet. ;I also reduced process foods and replaced them with more whole foods. I was still eating chocolate bars at the time, but I noticed something was starting to change. ;You see, we crave what is in our bloodstream. ;Thats why all addicts have to go through detox.
Cravings are also triggered by nutritional deficiencies. ;As my diet improved, my body was detoxifying . ;As a result, my blood chemistry began to change, my taste buds also changed, and my cravings began to wane. ;The cleaner and more nutritious my diet became, the less sugar I craved. ;I was on to something.
I Did The Grocery Shopping And Meal Planning
I know myself. I am not tempted in the grocery store to buy unhealthy food. However, if its at home, I am tempted to eat it. During this time I made sure to plan my list well to avoid the culprits and replace them with better options. Also, I told people not to bring over junk or itd land in the trash. Ha! Okay, not that severe, but I did try to control what came into our home so the temptation would be less.
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Sugar Addiction And Mental Health Issues
Sugar addiction is linked to anxiety and depression. Excessive intake of sugar has been shown to potentially contribute to depression, whether it is a pre-existing condition or one that is actually created by the excessive sugar itself. Part of the reason for this is because foods that are rich in sugars and carbohydrates actually interfere with the neurotransmitters that help stabilize an individuals mood.
What Happens When You Stop Eating Sugar
Withdrawal symptoms may be caused by the biochemical reaction within your body when you stop eating sugar . Symptoms include: bloating, fatigue, headaches, cramps, nausea, and cravings. How long these symptoms last varies enormously for everyone. Once these withdrawal symptoms end, you should start to feel full of vitality and motivation.
Removing sugar reduces glucose and insulin spikes. It also has a massive anti-aging effect, both within your body, and on your skin. Foggy thinking and sadness may be alleviated. Again, this shift in mood is related to no longer suffering the highs and lows of blood sugar. Your hormones, immunity, gut, cholesterol, sleep, heart, brain and liver health will be in much better shape. ;
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Ensure You Balance Your Blood Sugar
Nutritionist Penny Crowther said: Cravings for sweet foods will be greatly reduced if blood sugar balance is maintained.
You can balance your blood sugar in a number of ways:
– Eat slow release carbohydrates such as rye bread, spelt bread, brown rice and porridge oats.
– Always eat protein with carbohydrates, avoid eating carbs alone. These can be animal or plant based protein .
– Eat three regular meals a day – constant grazing is not good for insulin levels.
– Always eat breakfast, even if this isnt when you first wake up.
What You Can Expect When You Go Off Sugar
If you take a break from sugar, you’ll find your tastes and cravings begin to change very quickly.
Its a simple science experiment that will prove something interesting to you: that you are stronger than you think.
You are actually innately drawn to the colors, textures, and flavors of real food. That is your genetic programming, and those natural, whole foods are what your ancestors ate for thousands of years.
You cant discover this UNLESS you quit sugar for four days.
I know you can do it. My first four days off sugar were much, much harder than the subsequent 361.
Choose the days of the week you face the fewest temptations, and plan ahead with delicious, flavorful, whole-food meals that will fill you and satisfy your taste buds.
Now, if you dont find the sugar cravings completely disappearing after four days?
Whatever you do, dont let Shame grab you by the throat. It serves no one. Behaviors driven underground flourish in the darkness. Say no to Shame!
Youre no different from meand I make a living telling people how to eat healthy.
It takes some people a little bit longer, often because they have candida yeast overgrowth or they eat higher-than-average amounts of sugar or soda.
Sugar is more addictive than crack cocaine. Multiple studies have proven it.
But its actually quite amazing what four days off the nice girls crack will do for your confidence level. Sugar does not own you, and you CAN break your sugar addiction.
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Sneaky Ways To Beat Sugar Cravings
A lot of us struggle with sugar cravingsmyself included. In the past, my cravings were so out of control, they wreaked havoc on my mind and body. I was tired, cranky, and dealing with acne breakoutsit wasn’t pretty. Since then, I’ve managed to gain control over my sugar addiction, but from time to time, I fall into patterns of overdoing it on sweet treats. Here are the five strategies I use to fight back.
A lot of us struggle with sugar cravingsmyself included. In the past, my cravings were so out of control, they wreaked havoc on my mind and body. I was tired, cranky, and dealing with acne breakoutsit wasn’t pretty.
Since then, I’ve managed to gain control over my sugar addiction, but from time to time, I fall into patterns of overdoing it on sweet treats . Instead of letting these occasional dessert binges take over my life again, I fight back with a few key strategies, which ultimately prevent my cravings from spiraling out of control.
Here are some of the ways I cut sugar from my diet, and I hope they help you, too!
Eat real meals I can’t stress this one enough. Eating real mealsones that are well-rounded with a mix of lean protein, healthy fats, and fiber-rich carbsmakes all the difference in controlling my sweet tooth. Having all of these nutritional elements together in one meal really satisfies me, so my sugar cravings are less intense and more manageable.
Read Tinas daily food and fitness blog, Carrots N Cake.
Why Is Sugar Addictive
For thousands of years, humans ate sugar found naturally in their food. Sugar was not a problem; it was a treat. But now more than one-third of the calories we consume come from sugar and white flour added by food processing. Our bodies simply were not designed to handle this massive load.
Many of you have already noticed that although sugar gives you an initial high, you crash several hours later, and this leaves you wanting more sugar. In fact, sugar acts as an energy loan shark, taking away more energy than it gives. Eventually, your credit line runs out and you find yourself exhausted, anxious, and moody.
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How To Stop Sugar Cravings For Good
I still enjoy sweets. In fact, I eat them almost everyday, but the difference is I dont need to have them. I can consciously make a decision whether I want to eat a sweet treat or not.;Back in the day, I had zero control of my cravings. I felt totally helpless around desserts, and there was more than one occasion when I ate too many desserts and physically felt ill afterward. Once I started eating something sweet, I wanted more and more of it. Nowadays, I can enjoy one or two cookies and not eat the whole batch. Theres even been times that Ive forgotten about baked goods or other delicious things in the house. This would have never happened 18 months ago. Lets just say Ive made great strides!
If youre trying to kick a sugar addiction, I hope you found this post helpful. Of course, Im not a doctor or Registered Dietitian, but these things worked for me. I hope they work for you, too!
Still looking for some tips and motivation? Heres another blog post that might interest you: Revisiting My Sugar Addiction.
Do you struggle with sugar cravings? What makes you crave sugar? What are your tips for controlling your sugar cravings?
Ditch The Salt Shaker
When you dine out or eat packaged, processed foods, you’re probably consuming too much sodium. This is often true even when youre eating something clean like grilled salmon and sautéed spinach from your favorite healthy restaurant.
Toss the shaker. When you satisfy your salty cravings with more naturally salty foods such as olives, your sweet cravings will lessen, and youll tend to go for naturally sweet snacks like herbal tea or fruit when that craving comes on. Choosing clean foods leads to choosing more clean foods, no matter what the craving.
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How Friends Influence Teens’ Long
3. If you want a sweet treat, go for something low-glycemic and healthy that won’t trigger you.
Berries are great. I love eating big, juicy, red strawberries or copious amounts of blueberries . They are low-glycemic, meaning they produce very little sugar in your blood and body. They won’t trigger your addiction to sugar, and even if you ate a lot of them, there are virtually no negative consequences.
4. Be aware of the “just one drink” phenomenon.
Because of my interest in the addictive process, I have read the famous Alcoholics Anonymous “Blue Book,” said to be a good read for anyone with any addictive tendency .
The “just one drink” lie we tell ourselves is so true. People who struggle with alcohol will often tell themselves, after a stint of sobriety, that they can handle “just one drink” since they’ve been doing so well. They have that drink, and the addictive cycle in the brain gets triggered again. Before they know it, they are deeper into their addiction than ever before.
5. Don’t have it in the house.
This is a very simple rule of thumb, and it really works. I don’t fool myself into thinking I can resist having something sweet in my house. It will not last the week. Probably not even 24 hours. If I don’t have anything tempting in my house, and make it hard for myself to out and get it, that’s more than half the battle.
And don’t underestimate the power of sugar. Seriously.
Connect with Dr. Biali on and , and visit her website to receive a complimentary e-book.
Sugar Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms
With any addictive substance, when an individual attempts to stop they will experience sugar withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are directly proportional to the length of time that the individual used the substance and how much of the substance they used. This is the same for withdrawal from sugar and some of the symptoms can be surprisingly strong.;
The withdrawal symptoms from sugar usually begin around 24 to 48 hours after you last ingested sugar. They last anywhere from a few days to a week. The withdrawal timeline depends on how much sugar you are eating or drinking and how long you have been addicted to sugar.;
The most common withdrawal symptoms from sugar addiction are split up into two categories: psychological symptoms and physical symptoms. While the physical symptoms of sugar addiction are in general more uncomfortable than the psychological symptoms, the psychological symptoms should not be underestimated. We recommend taking a look at our carefully crafted sugar detox plan if you truly want to quit sugar.;
Most individuals who are unable to stop eating sugar are unable to do so because of the psychological symptoms that are produced by sugar withdrawal, or the pronouncement of any underlying mental health concerns that they may have been self-medicating with the use of sugar.;
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Be Cautious Of Sugar Substitutes
Crowther explained: If you are going for sugar substitutes choose a pure stevia or xylitol and use sparingly.
Xylitol has the advantage of being very low in calories and has a minimal impact on blood sugar levels, but because they arent absorbed into the body, it can cause gas and bloating.
And remember that honey and agave, although branded as healthier alternatives are still high in fructose.
Know The Difference Between A Craving And Hunger
Oftentimes when we think we’re hungry, we’re actually just having a craving. What’s the difference? Next time you want to reach for that chocolate cake, ask yourself: if the only thing I had to eat right now was an apple, would I eat it? If the answer is “no,” then you’re probably having a craving and not actually hungry. When you’re hungry, what you’re willing to eat is flexible, when you’re having a craving, it’s not. The next time you answer “no” to that question, take 20 minutes before you act on it. Often you’ll find that the craving goes away; if it doesn’t then allow yourself to mindfully indulge.;
“You can also try to replace that craving with a healthy substitute,” says Kien Vuu, MD, a performance and longevity doctor and the author of Thrive State. Whenever I experience a craving, I’ll either go for a walk or sip on sparkling water. I find that if I don’t act on my initial craving and allow some time to pass, my craving will usually dissipate on its own.”;
When flavored water doesn’t do the trick, Cassetty tells her clients that one of the easiest ways to lower your added sugar intake is to swap out your usual dessert for something like Lily’s Sweets. “They’re botanically sweetened chocolate treats with no added sugar. A sweet like this doesn’t count toward your daily added sugar intake.” Note, however, even botanically sweetened treatsaka stevia-sweetened onesshould be consumed in moderation, as previously mentioned.
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What Are Sugar Cravings
Sugar cravings are essentially when you have a strong urge to eat something sweet. “They are difficult to resist and are often associated with feelings of guilt once consumed,” explains Hannah Braye, nutritional therapist at Bio-Kult.;
You may find it difficult to control yourself around certain foods and, in more serious cases, this could lead to overeating or binge eating, potentially on a regular basis.;
Whats more, the more sugar you eat, the more your body wants. Thats because our brains adapt to require more sugar to reap that same rewarding feeling. Scientists have found that sugar is as addictive and stimulates the same pleasure centers of the brain as cocaine or heroin. So, like a drug, your body becomes addicted and needs a bigger hit to feel happy.
