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Kathie Shayne
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« on: March 08, 2010, 05:17:30 AM » |
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Sugar Addicts Guide to Overcoming Sugar Addiction
Sugar addicts unite! The time has come for overcoming sugar addiction and exposing the sneaky sugar supplier's seductive tactics.
How does the sugar industry create sugar addicts? First of all, by denying that "sugar addiction" even exists. And secondly, by hiding sugar's increasing existence in just about everything we eat. Why else would they call sugar names like "evaporated cane juice" or "Florida Crystals"?
Sugar, by any other name, still addicts the same.
And even though overcoming sugar addiction can be as difficult as giving up smoking or even cocaine, it's essential to your health and fitness!
The 7-Step Sugar Addicts Guide to Overcoming Sugar Addiction
1. Admit that you're a sugar addict. Just like with any addiction, the first step in overcoming sugar addiction is to accept that you're an addict and understand the consequences. Sugar addiction can cause:
* Weight gain from eating more fattening food to get your sugar-fix.
* High triglycerides, increasing your risk of heart disease.
* Tooth decay from excessive bacterial growth.
* Metabolic syndrome, leading to diabetes.
* Poor nutrition from empty calories.
* Lack of immunity to disease.
* Periods of depression.
2. Know the benefits of a sugar-free life. Besides reversing all the drawbacks listed above, overcoming sugar addiction helps you lose weight, greatly improve your health, energy and endurance – both now and in the future – and makes you look and feel younger and healthier.
3. Become a "hidden sugar" detective. Sugar is hiding everywhere. Don’t stick your head in the sugar bowl or get blind-sided by sweet temptation. Know all the different sugar names and choose healthy low glycemic foods from the glycemic foods index to keep blood sugar stable.
4. Extract your sweet tooth – cold turkey. Sugar is too addictive to wean yourself slowly. Plan ahead, clean out your pantry and take some time off for withdrawal symptoms to pass. Look for new ways to comfort yourself – like a warm bath and good book.
5. Learn to love nature's natural sweeteners. Once you get through the first few days, fruits and other natural foods will start tasting sweeter. Stevia, a naturally sweet herb, can help sweeten food and drinks, but don't go overboard. Your objective is to reduce your taste for super sweet foods and excess use of artificial sweeteners only keeps mental cravings alive.
6. Make friends with naturally sweet people. If you were a recovering alcoholic, you wouldn’t hang out in bars with drunks. So make friends who support your sugar-free lifestyle. When eating out, break whole grain bread with wholesome people and choose tasty sugar-free foods.
7. Clean sugar out of your body and mind. It takes 3 to 7 days to overcome the physical addiction. But overcoming emotional attachments to sweet comfort foods could take longer. Here are some guidelines.
* Use the low glycemic diet and list of glycemic foods to help you choose healthier, more appropriate comfort foods to sooth cravings.
* Eat smaller meals 5 or 6 times a day. Don't get hungry. Have protein with every meal or snack to keep your blood sugar stable.
* Drink plenty of water to help wash out sugar and toxins.
* Make overcoming sugar addiction you're main focus. Don't start a new diet or exercise program while still going through sugar withdrawal. Weight loss is usually a natural result of giving up sugar.
* If you slip up, forgive yourself, have some protein to stabilize your blood sugar, brush your teeth, drink a cup of mint tea, take a walk or do whatever it takes to get back on track in a sugar-free groove.
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