Below are nine super-simple and realistic ways to kick sugar’s ass for good!
Remember … processed food (things found in bags and boxes at the supermarket) are jam packed with artificial ingredients, preservatives and SUGAR. Eat low glycemic whole foods, your body will love you for it!
- Reduce or eliminate caffeine. A caffeine rush causes dehydration and blood sugar swings, causing sugar cravings to be more frequent.
- Drink lots of 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. Caution: soft drinks are now America’s number one source of added sugar!
- Eat sweet vegetables and fruit. Like berries, sliced peppers or carrots, they are sweet, healthy and delicious. The more you eat, the less you’ll crave sugar.
- Eat healthy sweets. Avoid artificial sweeteners and foods with added sugar. Use gentle, all natural sweeteners like stevia, xylitol, chicory root and erythritol.
- Get Moving. Start with simple activities, like walking, Pilates 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. Think 100 calorie snack packs. For heavens sake-… get rid of them!
- 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 desire hugs, laughter, peace, time with friends, outside time, workouts, massages, etc. When life itself becomes sweet, no added sugar is needed!
Learn more about embracing a healthy, sugar-free lifestyle at Sugar Free Goddess.