Can we really be addicted to sugar? The answer is Definitely!
Eating too much sugar leads to an increased risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, increased blood sugar (diabetes), and increased cholesterol).
So how can you combat your cravings?
Exercise
- Decreases food cravings
- Increases restraint when highly craved foods are present
- Natural antidepressant
- Protects against cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer etc..
Reduce Your Stress Levels
Higher stress levels have been shown to increase appetite, and in women in particular, high stress levels lead to a higher consumption of saturated fat & sugar.
Ways to decrease your stress:
- Meditation
- calm.com – This website offers a ton of FREE meditations, as long or as short as you need!
- Acupuncture (can be done in the clinic)
- Usually a 4-6-week treatment 1x a week based on an individualized traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis
- Support your adrenals
- Adrenal glands are responsible for our stress hormone cortisol
- Ensure you are getting proper sleep
- Vitamins B & C
- Take on less
- Learning to say NO
- You cannot pour from an empty cup- make sure you are fulfilled FIRST!
Regulate Your Hormones
High estrogen levels has been shown to be associated with more sweet cravings! Estrogen is processed through the liver, so supporting the liver & detoxification pathways is very important.
Diet
- Drinking enough water
- Cruciferous vegetables- Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussel sprouts
- Tumeric/Curcumin (turmeric latte, curry)
- Lemon – add to your water
- Fibre- Helps with estrogens proper elimination
- Flax seeds, chia seeds, whole fruits & vegetables
- Flax seeds – (whole or ground)- can help to modulate estrogen levels & is a great source of fibre & protein
Lifestyle
- Avoid plastics (even BPA free)
- Drink from stainless steel & glass
- Avoid harmful makeup ingredients- Pthalates and parabens
Smart Snacking
In order to decrease cravings, your blood sugar must be stable which means you need to be sure to consume adequate Fibre & protein. Here are some snack ideas:
- Popcorn- pop your own popcorn in coconut oil or grapeseed oil – add melted coconut oil or butter + a few tablespoons of nutritional yeast for flavour
- Oatmeal- add flaxseed, berries, nut butter
- Apple slices with nut butter & a sprinkle of hemp hearts
- Hummus or guacamole with veggies or healthy crackers (mary’s are good!)
- Boiled egg sliced in half with herbamare seasoning
- Home made granola
In health,
Dr. Laura, ND
