5 Simple ways to break your sugar habit

-

1. Sprinkle sweet spices 


Certain spices can satisfy your sweet tooth and trick your brain into thinking you’re eating sugar. Research has shown that cinnamon can help to reduce sugar cravings by controlling blood glucose levels, and this helps to minimise insulin spikes that result after an unbalanced meal, which typically lead to increased hunger and sugar consumption. Cinnamon is great in porridge, and sprinkled on sliced apple and roasted vegetables. Cloves, ginseng and fenugreek are also sweet spices that can be used to control blood sugar and sweet cravings effectively.




 



2. Eat your veggies 


Most people wouldn’t think about using vegetables to combat sugar cravings, however, the rich source of vitamins they provide will help you to feel fuller for longer and keep your sweet tooth in check. Vegetables contain healthy sources of carbohydrates which will keep you satisfied, and the plant fibre also works as a natural way to level out blood sugar levels. Try to incorporate a small portion of leafy greens, such as kale or spinach, into every meal. You could also use sweeter vegetables such as sliced red pepper or carrots as snacks in between meals.





 


3. Distract yourself 

A lot of the time, cravings can be caused by boredom, anxiety, or other emotions. When you feel a craving for something sweet, find an activity that will distract you and take your mind off of food. Sometimes it can be as easy as going for a brisk walk or taking a shower to make you forget completely about the ice-cream hidden at the back of the freezer. Or simply try brushing your teeth – you won’t want to snack afterwards since the toothpaste will change the taste.

 



4. Break bad habits 

Many people don't feel satisfied unless they finish their meal and have a dessert, even if they don't feel hungry. In order to prevent sweet cravings in the first place – or to successfully manage them – it's important to understand what's causing your craving, and whether your craving is actually habitual. For example, your dinner might be high in salt, which could make you feel like you ‘have to have’ something sweet to create balance. If it’s likely to be a habit rather than a craving, come up with a solution to try and break it; it’s a process of training your mind and learning to navigate the challenges with new choices. For example, if you don’t feel at peace without having something sweet after dinner, then you could try brushing your teeth.

 




 5. Get More sleep 

Getting adequate amounts of sleep optimises energy levels, reduces appetite and slashes sugar cravings. When you are tired, ghrelin, the hormone that stimulates appetite (often referred to as the hunger hormone) increases, and leptin, the hormone that suppresses the appetite decreases, which can lead to you feeling the need for something sugary to give you a quick energy fix. Ensure that you are getting around the recommended eight hours of sleep a night and that the quality of your sleep is good too.



 

 

 

Marilette Barbara van Heerden 

 

Michele Reynolds 

 

 

“Eat less sugar, you’re sweet enough already” 




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Spices that speeds up weight loss

-
Image
Herbs make your food tastier and also boost metabolism, which in turn helps  you burn fat. Below is a list of eight herbs and spices that have the power to  burn fat faster and make you slim in no time. Turmeric Turmeric can help your body burn fat. Turmeric is a warming spice, it  increases the body heat which can boost your metabolism and provide other  health benefits. Cinnamon Cinnamon is said to curb hunger cravings, control blood sugar level and   make you feel fuller for longer. You can put cinnamon it in your tea. It is   also a great addition to lean meat and chicken. Cayenne pepper Cayenne pepper raises the body temperature which boosts your metabolism.  The higher the metabolism, the more calories you burn. Adding this spice to  your meal can help you burn up to 100 calories per meal. You can sprinkle  cayenne pepper on nuts, soup and eggs. Cumin Adding one tablespoon of cumin seeds to all your primary meals every day  can hel...
Read more

Here are 6 tips on how to cut carbs and stay motivated

-
Image
      1. Stay Hydrated Water should be your go-to choice for hydration. In addition to the potential for  negative effects of sugar on your health, sweetened drinks usually offer very little, if any, nutritional value.    Avoiding sugary beverages like soda and energy drinks is especially important if you're trying to cut carbs. Choosing water will also help you avoid adding extra calories—either from the beverage itself or overeating later.   When you reach for a sweet drink instead of a meal or snack when you're truly hungry, you’re not likely to feel satisfied and may fill up on “empty calories”.   One hundred calories of apple juice will leave you hungrier than 100 calories of an actual apple.         2. Eat Your Veggies When you first start a no-carb diet, one of the food groups you’re likely to stock up (and fill up) on is non-starchy vegetables, like greens, sprouts, cauliflower, and mushrooms.       ...
Read more

5 Tips to lose belly fat forever

-
Image
  1.     Stop Eating Carbs  One of the quickest ways to a flatter stomach is by getting rid of “bad” carbs. So, no more bread or pasta, anything that contains gluten should be banned and binned (the supermarkets are full of gluten-free products nowadays), no more potato crisps, breadsticks or white rice. You can still eat carbs but make them good carbs such as vegetables, lentils, peas, kidney beans, most nuts and seeds and your wholegrain carbs such as pure oats, brown rice and quinoa. When you cut carbs out of your diet, your body eventually reaches a state of Ketosis, so it burns off fat.   2.     Drink water    The best liquid to drink is undoubtedly water and actually, upping your intake of H2O will help to reduce your belly. Contrary to popular belief, not drinking water will bloat you out more and have you ever thought that the excess belly fat is a combination of fat and bloating? Water retention is the number one cause of b...
Read more