Sugar addiction is one of the top concerns of anyone looking to reclaim their health. As evidence continues to mount that sugar can be not only addictive, but come with the same withdrawal symptoms as drug abuse, many find themselves concerned about not just eliminating this harmful cycle from their lives, but making sure the temptation stays gone permanently. Once you are aware of the signs and symptoms that you may be experiencing sugar addiction, the challenge becomes getting healthy and staying healthy. There are many helpful suggestions and methods out there, but we want to ensure that you find a balanced approach that you can maintain as a part of your regular healthy lifestyle.
Here are a few simple steps that can help you cut sugar addiction out of your life for good:
Commit to Making the Change
A positive mental attitude is the critical first piece of any lifestyle change. Think about what you hope to gain from this change, and make that your goal. Above all, remember that a commitment to making a big change doesn’t mean a promise to make no mistakes. Mistakes and setbacks are a part of any great endeavor. Be ready to forgive yourself for missteps and keep going, because that goal is where you want to be.
Purge Your Kitchen
It can’t be stressed enough – if you’re trying to cut a craving, the easiest way to prevent sabotage is to get the problematic substance out of your house. This can get tricky, though, as sugar hides in so many unexpected places. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and give up right at this step, but remember you don’t have to do a complete and perfect purge to reap the benefits. Get rid of obvious sources of sugar, and be willing to learn and make further adjustments as you go.
Add in Healthy Foods
It may seem counterintuitive to add in food when you’re trying to remove a substance from your life, but time and again it has been shown that emphasizing whole foods – fruits, vegetables, nuts, proteins, etc – and making sure you have them available when you’re hungry will help you crave less of that quick sugar fix.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Frequently, when our body sends hunger signals what it actually craves is water. The clear splashy stuff can not only ease sugar cravings, it can also help improve your complexion and your mood, and is a crucial building block in metabolizing fat. Don’t like the taste of plain water? Add a squeeze of lemon or lime, a mint leaf, or even a slice of cucumber for a little flavor.
Get Moving
When you are bored or stagnant, you are more likely to experience unhealthy cravings. Exercise, whether inside or outdoors, provides a fantastic boost to your mental health and stops cravings in their tracks.
Get Support
Big changes can be difficult, and it’s important to get medically-valid information and support that will help you safely and effectively navigate making the shift to a healthy, low-sugar lifestyle. Contact us today to get started with our safe, effective, medically-proven Medical Weight Loss program. You don’t have to do this alone!
At Olivera Weight Loss, we take your health seriously, and we hope you will, too. We wish you all the best on your healthy living journey, and we are always happy to help. Contact us to learn more!