Looking for ways to beat your sugar addiction? This article will help. It is easy to become hooked to sugar, because it is addictive and stimulates the same pleasure centres in the brain that cocaine and heroin do. Like any addiction, it can be tough to wean yourself off, but if you want to feel healthier, it’s a good idea to kick the sugar habit.
Most guidelines suggest that we eat too much sugar and would be better off if we halved the amount of added sugar we consume on a daily basis. In the UK, the recommendation is that adults do not consume more than 30g of 'free' sugars a day, that’s roughly equivalent to seven sugar cubes. Children need less than this. One fizzy drink contains 6-8 teaspoons of sugar – that’s the whole of an adult’s recommended daily intake.
Fruit contains fructose, which is metabolized differently than a huge bag of Liquorice Allsorts. However, you can eat too much fruit and should be careful to restrict your intake to a few servings a day. Eating too much fruit has been linked to increased belly fat, which increases your chance of type 2 diabetes. Also, go easy on grapes or cherries, which have high sugar content.
The truth is that we don’t need as much sugar as we think. We need glucose to give us energy, but we can get that naturally through eating foods such as wholegrains, vegetables and fruit. We don’t need fructose as much, and this is found naturally in fruit and honey. Some experts believe that we don’t need as much fruit as is often suggested and although it is a good source of fibre and vitamins, too much can give you an insulin spike. As a general rule, the higher the water content of the fruit, the less sugar. Oranges and melons are better than bananas in this case.
If you’ve decided to give up sugar you may be tempted to turn to artificial sweetener. This is a bad idea. The diet versions of food and drink (especially sweets) tend to contain aspartame, sucralose, saccharine — even stevia — and large amounts of these will make you desire even more sweet food. Your palate is changed. Find other ways to satisfy cravings.
When you decide to opt for a sugar-free existence you need to commit. Go through your cupboards, your fridge and your freezer and get rid of anything that contains sugar – or is sugar! This is your environment – you have the choice.
If you have a real craving for something sweet, it may be that your body has a deficiency. For example, if you crave chocolate, this may be because you need an increase in your levels of magnesium. You can find magnesium in dark leafy greens, tofu, legumes and nuts.
On the other hand, it is worth considering that cravings tend to be driven by the brain’s need for “reward” – and not the body’s need for food. If you can have a nibble of whatever you are craving and stop there, all well and good, but if you’ll binge on your craving, then you mustn’t give in. If your craving means you’re hungry, eat a proper meal. If you think you need a reward or some emotional solace, then find a better way to deal with this that does not mean consuming sugar.
Taking exercise lifts your mood, stimulates your hormones and raises your metabolism. By exercising – especially if you do it outside – you are rewarding your body and producing a natural high that should prevent your craving. You may be thirsty but make sure you sate your thirst with water and don’t reach for an energy drink.
Being happy is something everybody strives for, but unfortunately there are a lot of people who go through life unhappily. A lot of people take life how it is.
Read the complete articleDo you find you just can't stop snacking? Eating and drinking between regular meals is something many of us find irresistible - especially when there's tasty food or drinks around.
For many people, 2020 has been one of the worst years they can remember. The COVID -19 pandemic and social unrest have changed our lives in ways we would not have believed possible a year ago. And when January 2021 comes around, we're still likely to be facing many challenges. Can 2021 be a better year?
Read the complete articleDo you sometimes despair about humanity because it seems there are far more bad people than good? Are we primarily selfish individuals, thinking only about our own needs? Or is this cynical belief just because we spend so much time online? The truth is more complicated!
Nowadays, it can sometimes seem almost everyone has a mental health issue or learning disorder. But, are we too quick to label people, or is it that we are more aware of the problems? This article looks at some of the issues surrounding these sensitive questions.
Do you have enough resilience to face the world out there? Take our quiz to find out how resilient you are and find tips on how to build your mental resilience.
Motivation can be somewhat elusive - some days, you just can't seem to make yourself do the stuff you don't want to. But putting things off just leads to stress, frustration and a sense of guilt.
Some people are overly sensitive to the time change and it can take days, if not weeks, for them to feel right again, while others barely even notice.
Read the complete articleWhat are your aims in life? Do you plan to be rich, to be a top footballer, to be a good parent, or to become Prime Minister? However efficiently you plan your life, sooner or later you are going to come up against obstacles to achieving your goals.
Have you ever noticed that some people are instantly likeable? Many people believe that people will only like you because of natural traits you're born with: good looks, talent and sociability. But this is a misconception. Getting people to like you is within your control, and it's all to do with self-belief, knowing yourself and being emotionally intelligent. Here's what to do to be more likeable.
Are you unsure which Bach flowers can help you? Contact Tom for free advice.