I am thrilled to introduce you to my guest blogger and colleague Diana Pagnucco. She is a holistic nutrition health coach and the owner of GreenStartHealth. Today she is going to tell us how to GET OVER SUGAR! Read this carefully my friends because Diana has got the skinny on why sugar is bad news and exactly what to do about it!
Sugar has been in the headlines a lot recently.
And the news isn’t good.
Refined sugar is a major trigger because we’re hard-wired to binge on it. We are wired to keep eating and eating it once we start.
It causes weight gain, of course, and also contributes to a long list of diseases we’ve gotten too used to dealing with: heart disease, immune disease, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis. It’s not just empty calories – it’s addictive and toxic to your body. Getting over sugar addiction is a challenge worth taking.
I’ll bet you know THIS feeling….You vow that you’re done with sugar! You swear off!
But then… the day [or days] go by and that little voice starts in. You resist – it’s hard, but you do it. Then… the voice gets clever. It says, “C’mon…it’s just a bite. You’ve been so good. You deserve it.”
Then it’s like the invasion of the body snatchers. You’re going back for more. You’re totally ignoring the part of you that doesn’t want it – “Oh please, it’s just so good, just enjoy,” you tell yourself.
When you’re done, you feel it again. You can’t believe it – and was that really a choice in the first place? It’s like there are two Yous inside you, battling it out. It’s exhausting to keep fighting. Then giving up and giving into temptation. Then fighting again.
Why does this cycle have such a strong hold over us?
Let’s take a trip back in time before we even had processed foods. Sugar was found naturally in fresh fruit, which was precious and fleeting. And these fruits were loaded with nutrients and fiber. So when it was available, we binged. Now that we’ve taken the sugar out of the whole food, when we eat it, our body craves what’s missing. So we want more. And more. It lights up the pleasure centers in our brain, yes, but without any of the good stuff it’s supposed to bring.
The best way to get over sugar? It’s NOT to replace it with artificial sweeteners. That opens a whole new set of problems.
No – the best way to get over sugar is to give it up, cold turkey. Really. There will be a day when you’re in control and can treat yourself occasionally if you even want to, but while cravings are strong? Getting over sugar addiction requires walking away entirely.
But that’s only part of the solution.
Taking something away leaves an empty space, unless we add something back. Something more satisfying, more delicious, more honest.
Consider, when you crave sweets that maybe you’re really looking for is…
- ENERGY: Put down the electronics an hour before bed, and give yourself plenty of sleep at night. During the day, don’t skip meals – keep your body nourished.
- NUTRIENTS: Eat lots of naturally sweet foods like carrots, onions, fruit, sweet potatoes, rice, beets, cinnamon, ginger, cloves. The fiber and nutrients are what will satisfy you.
- ENDORPHINS: Get up and get outside for a minute for a quick walk. Stretch and take several big deep breaths. Do a few jumping jacks or take a lap up and down the stairs.
- BALANCE: If you reduce salty, meaty foods, your need to offset that extreme with sugar will be relieved.
- SWEETNESS: Look for the non-food type, like a laugh or a hug from a friend. Practice compassion with yourself, too. What are you proud of yourself for?
This is such a common concern, I wrote a free guide with all my best tips. “Six Ways to Outsmart a Snack Attack” also comes with a subscription to my newsletter. The link is on my website home page. I’d be glad to see you there!
Sincerely,
Diana Pagnucco
Diana Pagnucco, holistic nutrition health coach and Founder and Owner of GreenStartHealth helps people who have watched their health slip as they take care of everyone but themselves. She helps people who are scared that the extra weight, low energy, or chronic condition will never go away. Diana motivates her clients to eat, move and take care of themselves in simple, consistent ways so they look and feel great, permanently. Please visit Diana and sign up for her free guide and newsletter at www.greenstarthealth.com
