There is a terrorist among us. It hides. It lures. It will take some of our children. We are smitten and we don’t take a stand. Forgive my alarmist attitude but we need to do something for our next generation. In 2012, this enemy killed 1.5 million people worldwide according to the WHO. Who or what do you think it is?
SUGAR.
So how do we take a stand? How do we cut back on sugar? These are some of my favorite tips for minimizing sugar:
Tip #1 One place to start is with our hearts, our spirits. Loving ourselves more, loving others more, finding the sweetness in life.
“The root cause of sugar addiction is that we are out of touch with the sweetness of life itself.” Charles Eisenstein
Tip #2
If you feed yourself sugar, you want more sugar. Eat a balanced breakfast with no refined starches (cereals, breads), it will cut your cravings for the rest of the day. Some recipe ideas.
Tip #3
Expand your palate. Include all 5 flavors to create balance. Excess salty can lead to sugar cravings and vice versa. Insufficient bitter taste can lead to sugar cravings.
“Sweet practice, bitter mind. Bitter practice, sweet mind.” Zen saying
Tip #4
Feed yourself some SOUL FOOD.
Often we reach for food when we are not hungry. Why do we do this? We are reaching for something to soothe our feelings, our spirit, make us feel better. What can we do instead of reach for food?
My top 5 Get a hug from human or animal (cuddly furry type) Sing a song or listen to music or both Take a bath Step outside for some fresh air, look at moon and stars Pray or journal
What is your soul food?
Tip #5
When you eat, eat. Pretty simple, I know. The other day I was writing a post for Facebook and eating my afternoon snack (some celery and almond butter), after the snack and the post I realized that I never really tasted the food. What a bummer! I was eating but not really. Eating mindlessly can leave us unsatisfied and reaching for more food.
Tip #6
When you are getting a sugar craving, eat some fermented food. It sounds weird but it works. Eat a bubbies pickle, drink some kombucha, kvass, plain unsweetened yogurt.
Watch Monica Corrado make kvass.
Tip #7
Don’t eliminate the natural sweetness of real, whole food. Sauteed carrots, baked sweet potato, fresh or frozen berries, mashed potato and celery root puree, apple sauce. Cutting out the natural sweetness found in fruits, root vegetables and grains will stimulate sugar cravings.
Make your own applesauce, no sugar required.
Tip #8
Are you thirsty? Drink water. Sometimes we mistake thirst as a craving for sugar.
When we are missing a key nutrient, or not hydrating, our body is in need of ‘something’ but we can misinterpret the body message. Balance is key. Try to avoid extreme diets that limit essential nutrients like fats or all carbohydrates. Keep a water bottle by your desk.
Tip #9
Are you tired? Sometimes we use sugar at night to boost energy and stay awake. For many, night time marks the only “down time” or alone time all day and it feels sacred. Carve alone time out of your day’s schedule so you can sleep at night and avoid night time eating.
Tip #10
Eat real food. Real food engages all your senses. Fake food requires sugar and artificial sweeteners to appeal to our senses.
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