How to kill your sugar addiction

Have you ever tried to simply stop eating sugar and failed?

That’s probably because you’re addicted to it and don’t know how to quit. These tips will help you get your food freedom…

It’s no secret that too much sugar is bad for our health.

Sugar in all its forms is the main cause of obesity and of a lot of chronic diseases out there. Excess sugar consumption can cause weight gain, poor skin, acne, wrinkles, heart disease, cancer, dementia, type 2 diabetes, depression and so on.

Sugar addiction is a cycle that is really hard to stop but breaking free is so worth it! The effects it can have on your life are absolutely amazing: Energy gain, weight loss, complexion improvement, better sleep and mood. Sounds good? Then let’s go! Here are the best strategies for reducing your sugar cravings for good:

#1 Read the labels

The bad news: Sugar is everywhere. Therefore, keep a critical eye on ingredient labels on yogurt, cereals, sauces, bread (yes bread!), beverages, salad dressings and condiments.

#2 Keep it Out of Your House

Quit buying cookies, chocolate or granola and get rid of all the temptations.

Replace the unhealthy stuff with healthy snacks to chew on, like fresh fruit, raw nuts, almonds, dates, carrots or pumpkin seeds.

#3 Be patient

To be honest, it will be hard. Really hard. Sugar detox is like detoxing from a drug. You will think about it all the time and it may take about 2 to 3 weeks to get the sugar out of your system. But after the first week, it keeps getting better and it’s definitely worth it.

#4 Drink more water

Most people mistake thirst for hunger. Sometimes our body craves sugar when we’re actually dehydrated and craving water. So, before you reach for a chocolate bar, drink a big glass of cold water instead. It will refresh your system and helps with cravings.

#5 Find healthy alternatives

Quitting sugar doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy some sweetness in your life. Choose healthy alternatives instead like stevia, coconut sugar, honey, sugar free chocolate (sweetened with stevia), dark chocolate, dates or dried fruit, fresh fruit and almond butter.

#6 Eat regularly

Don’t skip meals! I make the worst food choices when I’m hungry. If your blood sugar levels get too low, it’s quite likely that you may lose control about what you are eating. If you miss a meal, you could start craving sugar in response to needing more nutrients and food. Have healthy snacks on hand and eat three big meals per day.

#7 Avoid processed foods & reduce simple carbs

Processed food is addictive and can encourage your sugar cravings.

Also reduce simple carbs like pasta and white bread, which act just like plain sugar in your body and can cause your blood sugar levels to spike, making it harder to manage cravings.

#8 Exercise or go for a walk

Before you give in to your temptations, try to distract yourself with a quick workout or a short walk outside.

#9 Grab a piece of gum

Studies show that men and women who chew sugar-free gum three times hourly in the afternoon, choose and consume less snacks and specifically less sweet snacks than they would have otherwise.

#10 Brush your teeth

Brushing your teeth tricks the brain into thinking something sweet has been ingested. When a craving arises, go to the rest room and brush. You’ll stop the hunger, have clean teeth and minty fresh breath.

#11 Eliminate Sugary Beverages

Are you a soda addict? Then you’re not alone. Sipping sweet beverages without any fiber content, like energy drinks, coke, sweetened water or juice, spikes your insulin levels and triggers even more cravings. Over a period of two weeks, cut out all such drinks and drink water or tea (without sugar) instead.

#12 Keep It Up

It’s okay to indulge every now and then, but pay close attention to your cravings. Once you’ve kicked the habit and your taste buds are back to normal, fruit will taste extremely sweet and cakes and deserts will taste even unpleasantly sweet.