Ever since we heard how the gorgeous Miranda Kerr trained her palette from a young age to not crave sugar, we’ve been (apart from berating our mothers: ‘Why didn’t you train MY palette?’) searching for our own ways to kick the habit for good.
image via pinterest
It’s the silent assassin everywhere we go; on our plates, in our drinks and on our mind! Although there are varying reasons why we can’t put the chocolate down, the main reasons for our incurable cravings are:
– Hormonal imbalances especially in insulin and serotonin
– Unhealthy dieting
– Adrenal fatigue
– Various eating disorders from
– Even your menstruation cycle has a hand a play (don’t pretend you don’t use it as an excuse!)
It’s time to show our favourite poison who’s boss.
5 Easy Ways to Quit Sugar:
1. Eat More Protein
When you think you’re body is crying out for that afternoon muffin – think again because chances are it’s tummy filling protein foods that you are missing. Egg, red meat and tuna (aka Brain food) to name a few are super alternatives to sugar and will keep you fuller for longer without that I-need-sugar-to-concentrate feeling.
Have small, frequent meals to help keep your blood sugar level stable and eliminate your body’s need for a quick sugar fix.
2. Remove Temptations
Fittingly enough, the first line of the song ‘Aint’ too proud to Beg’ by The Temptations says, “I know you wanna leave me/ but I refuse to let you go.’ This is how sugar talks to you. You know it’s bad, you know you shouldn’t have it, but a packet of Tim Tams later and whose begging for forgiveness now?
So the answer’s simple. If it’s not in the fridge or pantry, you won’t eat it.
Make a conscious effort to not buy sugary foods when grocery shopping (especially if a certain cycle is on it’s way) and take a prepared lunch to work to stop you from dashing to the vendo on your break.
3. Distract Yourself
If you currently treat yourself with sugar, suggest treating yourself by other non-food means. Perhaps it’s the pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing for weeks, that book you’ve been dying to read or just a well deserved nap!
Get into the habit to of taking a walk instead of eating dessert or brushing your teeth and gargling with mouthwash – you know sweets will lose their appeal with that taste in your mouth!
4. Replace lollies and sugar with fruits
Nature’s sweets! The sugars in fruits are digested differently than the empty calories of white sugar that are in most candy and processed foods so you won’t get an extreme sugar high and crash and burn when it’s over.
Tip: Freeze your favourite fruits! Frozen grapes are a great alternative to a pack of red frogs.
5. What if I have low-blood sugar?
There are a few easy ways to combat hypoglycaemia including, eating a breakfast that is not sweet, for example brown rice, or lean protein and blanched vegetables. You might feel sick from eating sugars in the early morning.
In the afternoon eat either fruit or a fruit or grain-sweetened dessert rather than sweets that contained refined sugars. Avoid artificial sweeteners which can cause intense cravings for sweets.
By Anna McDougall
