Top Tips for Beating Your Sugar Addiction

By MiNDFOOD

Sweet unhealthy food on a plate - donuts, meringue, sticks, marmalade, chocolate grains. Junk food concept
Sweet unhealthy food on a plate - donuts, meringue, sticks, marmalade, chocolate grains. Junk food concept
Having a sweet tooth is a terrible burden to bear. When you can have it, you eat it, and when you can’t, you want it even more. Julia Frances, a reformed sugar addict and certified health and happiness coach, knows firsthand how addictive the sweet stuff really is. Lucky for us (and for you) she shared some top advice on how to combat your sugar addiction...

Sometimes no amount of willpower can stop you from reaching for a biscuit or five when they’re on offer in the office.

Given the effects of sugar on the brain, it can be very difficult to “moderate” your intake and we find ourselves on a sugar bender. In fact, science tells us that sugar can interfere with our brain’s ability to determine when we feel ‘full’ and we continue to crave more, leaving us with an insatiable appetite to over-consume.

Beating your sugar habit might not only help your mental and physical health but perhaps your bank account too.

While it may be our best intention to stay off the sweet stuff, once we get a taste for it, we just can’t get enough! So how do we beat the cravings? The following tips will be helpful for you if you feel like you are ruled by sweet cravings daily, especially in the mid-afternoon or after dinner…

Drink water: Our sweet cravings can sometimes just be a sign of dehydration. So drink a big glass of water and wait a few minutes to see how you feel.

Bring snacks: When you’re hungry, it’s important not to deprive yourself of a snack and you’re more likely to eat what you’ve got in front of you. It helps to be prepared with some nuts, fruit or homemade bliss balls, try my less sweet Lemony Balls. Good fats such as nut butter and avocado are more satiable and help to balance blood sugars.

Sweet Vegetables: Choose veggies that are naturally sweet such as sweet potato, pumpkin and carrots. These are energetically grounding foods and the more of these you eat, the less you’ll crave sugar.

Get moving: Being physically active helps to boost your energy, lifts your mood and balances blood sugar levels. The more active you are, the less you will need to self-medicate with sugar! Start with 10 minutes a day doing activities like walking or yoga and gradually increase.

Relax and get more sleep: If you are stressed and deprived of sleep, your body will crave the quickest form of energy there is – sugar. It’s important you are getting 8 hours of quality sleep per night, to regulate your appetite hormones, moods, energy levels and reduce tension in your body. Have some daily downtime and rest your mind without distractions. I recommend learning mindfulness meditation for as little as 10 minutes a day. I love apps like Headspace and Calm.

Have a cuppa: During a mid-afternoon slump or when you’re craving an after dinner sweet treat, brew yourself a cup of herbal tea. I recommend Licorice Root tea, it offers a naturally sweet taste and can help to stabilize blood sugars and cortisol levels (the hormone related to stress) in the body.

Life is sweet: Cravings are complex and often have a psychological component. It may be that you feel out of alignment in an area of your life such as self-care, relationships, or your career. By slowing down and perhaps making some lifestyle adjustments, you may just find the true sweetness of what you are looking for.

Julia Frances is a fount of knowledge when it comes to all things health. A lover of real whole food, cooking, nature adventures and yoga, she’s the real deal. She’s also a self-confessed reformed sugar addict, people pleaser and over-exerciser, so she’s able to meet people where they’re at. And, being a certified health coach, she’s the perfect person to help you get your life on a more healthy, life-giving and life-loving track. To find out more about Julia or to book a session with her, click here.

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