The harmful effects of sugar go way beyond weight gain and empty calories.
Sugar causes Type 2 Diabetes and drastically affects blood glucose levels. In addition, sugar also causes inflammation in the body, which is the main role in nearly every chronic disease. Sugar will deplete your immune system and makes you the target of every cold and flu going around.
Sugar is addictive. It’s the modern day crack. It sends our brains and bodies the same signals as cocaine and nicotine. The higher the sugar intake we have, the more our body craves it, and the more dependent we become. This strains your pancreas and in the long term, this kind of habit can cause you to become chronically fatigued, diabetic, develop cancer, and pack on excess weight.
The good news is, sugar addictions can be broken. It will be a challenge, but the rewards are endless.
These are some simple tips on how to give sugar the boot. Taking gradual steps is they key to long term results and success.
- Stay away from flavored water, flavored milks, sodas, and juices. Maintain yourself well hydrated with filtered water. You can infuse your water with lime and lemon for added flavor and zest. Herbal teas are a wonderful option as well. Re-hydration promotes digestion, which will help the flow of waste out of your body
- Replace packaged foods and snacks with fresh green vegetables, nuts, and berries.
- Make wise choices when dining out. Search the menu for the health column. Nowadays most restaurants have a section of the menu designated for health conscious customers.
- Eat a well-rounded diet on a daily basis. In order to detox sugar from your system, it will require consistency. Deliberately eat a diet concentrating on protein, fat, and vegetables.
- Deal with sugar cravings by supplementing properly. Supplements such as chromium picolinate helps keep blood sugar level stable and eases the cravings for carbs that erupt during blood sugar drops.
- Eat small meals throughout the day (every 2-3 hours). Fueling your body on a timed schedule with rev up your metabolism and keep at bay any cravings for sugar.
- Never skip breakfast. Breakfast jump-starts your day and metabolism. Have your complex carbs, protein, and fat.
- Set realistic expectations. Going cold turkey with a sugar detox may help cravings diminish after a few days but in many cases don’t produce long-term results. The best recommendation is to gradually wean yourself off until your naturally feel no desire.