How to Curb Your Sugar Cravings Part 1

 

 

Sugar! We all know that sugar can be very detrimental to our health and makes us fat, yet so many of us still crave a little sugar hit everyday.It has been said that sugar can be more addictive than tobacco and alcohol. In rats it has been found to be as addictive as cocaine.

PART 1 of this article is to help you with some really simple solutions THAT WORK to help you with your sugar cravings.

 

One

Stop and Breathe

Take 10 deep meditational breaths. Simply focus on your breath as you feel it moving in and out while you inhale and exhale. Paying attention to your breath is an excellent way to attach yourself to the present moment and may be enough to stop you from reaching for the biscuit jar!

Keep Calm and Breathe!

Two

Brush Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth can alter the taste of your favourite sugary foods. Even chocolate tastes bad after brushing your teeth!

Brush your pearly whites!

Three

Go for a 15 minutes Walk

Research by the University of Exeter has shown that a 15-minute walk can cut snacking on chocolate at work by half. The study showed that, even in stressful situations, workers eat only half as much chocolate as they normally would after this short burst of physical activity.

Get outside and enjoy your surroundings.

Four

Do 20 Crunches

Rather than mindlessly walking to the fridge, get down and do some abdominal work!! Just visualizing better abs may help you to stop snacking on foods you don’t really need.

Visualise the abs you want and what it takes to get them!

Five

Have a glass of water or try coconut water.

When we are dehydrated, we lack energy. This can lead to you craving sugar for a quick energy hit. Stop and think: Am I actually dehydrated and tired and is my body confusing the message? I like coconut water as it has a sweet taste but is also has electrolytes and minerals to replenish hydration levels within the body. Coconut water is also high in potassium, which, if deficient in the body, can increase sugar cravings.

Coconut Water- great for re-hydration.

Six

Make a cup of herbal tea instead.

You can choose herbal teas with a slightly sweet taste, like liquorice and cinnamon tea or go for green tea which is full of antioxidants and increases fat burning.

Have a cuppa!

Seven

Distract yourself.

Cravings can diminish in as little as 15 minutes. If you have 15 min and are in the Fitness Industry, then use the time to educate yourself! Listen to a podcast (I’m liking Phil Learney’s podcasts at the moment); watch a short youtube video on training or nutrition (Strength Sensei Charles Poliquin will always educate AND entertain you); read a training article (Try John Meadows Mountain Dog Training or Dave Tate at EliteFTS); be inspired (Read an article or check out the transformations from coaches like Nick Mitchell from UpFitness or Mark Coles from m10fitness); or do what my business partner Marty tells me to do and go and write a damn article that will help educate others as it’s no point having knowledge if you keep everything you know between your two ears rather than share it!!

You can see a video from my Mentor Charles, here

If you’re not in the Industry, then go and shave your legs or get naked for 15 minutes. I guarantee getting naked in front of the mirror will make you think twice before reaching for the tub of Ben and Jerry’s! (Don’t do this at work though!)

Get naked!

Eight

Carry a Medical Grade Protein Shake around with you when you’re out of your normal routine.

I prefer a Medical Grade Shake when opting for a shake as a snack as they are usually plant based, meaning they are lower allergenic and lower insulinogenic. They also contain extra nutrients and minerals that help with detoxification. My favourites are the ones we stock at Shredded which are the Thorne Mediclear. I usually take a shaker with 2 scoops of protein with me whenever I’m going somewhere out of the ordinary that means I may not get access to a real meal at the time I normally do.

At Shredded, we stock only the best quality supplements to help you achieve results.

Nine

If you usually crave something sweet after a meal, chew some sugar free herbal gum instead.

I’m not really a fan of chewing gum, but it’s better than a Mars Bar!!

Chewing Gum after a meal has been show to help with a sweet tooth.

Ten

Try adding some Glutamine (about 10g) to a tablespoon of heavy cream.

This almost immediately curbs a craving in its tracks. If you’re being very calorie conscious, just add the glutamine to some water, and stir it until it is clear then drink it. Adding it to heavy cream helps curb the cravings even better! I learnt this combination from my mentor, Charles Poliquin; it’s a great trick that works!

L- Gutamine- Good for so many things!

Hope you enjoyed my first 10 tips.

Make sure you take the time to read PART 2, which has over 30 more great strategies to help you eliminate cravings forever!

Take me to PART 2!

Stay posted, and remember, you’re sweet enough 🙂

Kelly x