NewAfricanWoman Issue 35 - Flipbook - Page 77
1 E AT
Going on a ‘diet’ or ending up not eating
regular meals to avoid sugar? Starving
yourself causes blood sugar to drop and
you become ravenous and irritable, while
the sugar cravings just get worse, leaving
you desperate for the sweet little devil and
eventually unable to resist. The best thing
is to make sure you eat well and at regular
intervals, taking in foods rich in protein,
healthy fats, phytonutrients and even dark
chocolate – in moderation of course.
Every day, people
consume some
2 RESET
500
Resetting your mind and body by upping
detoxifying foods such as veggies, fermented
foods and lemon water will decrease sugar
cravings and allow you time away from
indulgent foods to focus the mind on new
healthful ways.
extra calories in
sugar worldwide
3 P O W E R U P E A R LY
Make sure your first meal comprises
protein, fats and plant nutrients. Consider
a smoothie or smoothie bowl that is full of
goodness, such as coconuts, clean protein
powders, cashew milk, almonds, fruits,
green powders or vegetables. These pack
a mega craving-busting, hunger-staving
punch.
4 MAKE IT NATURAL
When you do have sugar, make
it plant-based sugars from fruits,
vegetables and the likes of sweet
potatoes. The less processed a food
is, the less added sugar it will contain.
Natural sugars present low metabolic
risks.
5 SPICE IT UP
The likes of ginger, cinnamon and
cardamom have been known to
balance blood sugar and keep
cravings at bay.
6 TA K E YO U R
SUPPLEMENTS
My standard supplements set are: a foodbased multivitamin, fish oil, probiotics, a
calcium and magnesium supplement and
trace minerals in my water. It’s not one size fits
all, but certain nutrients like vitamin D, B3,
chromium and magnesium have been shown
to improve blood sugar and manage insulin.
7 S L E E P, H Y D R AT E
AND EXERCISE
Proper nutrition, sleep, exercise and water
are always top must dos. Managing your
blood sugar and kicking a sugar habit are
no exceptions. Exercise reduces tension,
gives you a kick of energy and that reduces
the need for a sugar high. Get adequate rest
to avoid using sugar to fight exhaustion.
Sometimes drinking water or seltzer water
can help with the sugar cravings. Also
sometimes what we perceive as a food
craving is really thirst.
8 ADDRESS
EMOTIONAL
TRIGGERS
Talk to a qualified professional about
overeating and sugar addiction. It might be
linked to past or present emotional issues.
Explore these areas and address the issues as
best you can. Sometimes just accepting that
there is a problem is half the battle. Yoga has
helped people with unresolved issues and
could be worth exploring. Just think about it.
9 KEEP A CLEAN
KITCHEN AND
PA N T R Y
When in the middle of the night, you sneak
into the kitchen craving a cookie or any
other snack, it helps if your surfaces are clean
and everything is tided away. If it’s not there
or you can’t see it, you can’t have it.
1 0 S AY N O T O
ARTIFICIAL
SWEETENERS
There is nothing to be gained and a lot to be
lost by opting for artificial sweeteners and
‘diet’ options. If you must, make it – the
herbal sweetener. See the ‘5 Health Lies’
article on Page 78.
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