How to quit sugar in 4 Simple Steps (even though it’s the festive season!)
Yes, it’s the festive season. But that doesn’t mean that your health goals need to come to a stand still, including kicking your sugar habit.
In this blog I will share 4 simple steps to quit sugar even though you’re faced with Christmas treats, rich foods, more parties, late nights and perhaps even some extra holiday stress…
So if you’re a woman trying to lose weight, maintain healthy hormones, improve gut health or just simply trying to kick sugar cravings, then read on!
Wait! Before we dive into my tips, I want to share a bonus Step 0 with you. Because this step underpins all the others and from what I have seen with my most successful patients, will make the world of difference.
Step 0 is your mindset. How you approach your health and wellbeing is key. If you see it as a “chore” or even a “punishment” then you are setting yourself up to fail. If you instead see it as a choice - something that you want to work on because you love your body and desire to become your most healthy self, then you’ll look at everything from a new perspective!
You will no longer feel that you’re being denied certain foods, you’ll not see moving your body as something to be dreaded… instead, if you can switch your thinking to be around the enjoyment of leading a healthy lifestyle then everything becomes easier (promise!)
Okay, so now the steps!
Step 1. Drink plenty of water!
Often, sweet cravings are a sign of dehydration. So drink a large glass of water, wait 5 minutes and then see if you still have the craving.
Also, too much caffeine mimics a blood sugar crash - you’re high for a bit but then you coming crashing down and crave….SUGAR, of course. Same with alcohol. Below are some tips for managing Christmas drinks.
Opt for low carb/low sugar drinks such as a regular vodka soda lime, which contains 0g sugar, 96 calories
(Tip: Spruce up with a garnish, like lemon or lime and rosemary).Turn your Pinot Grigio into a spritz, by combining 3/4 wine with 1/4 soda water. Especially useful if it's on the sweet side.
Alternate water between drinks
Step 2. Eat sweet plants and spices!
Your tongue has sweet taste buds that demand to be satisfied, so try naturally sweet foods & spices like pumpkin, sweet potato, carrots, beetroot, berries, apples, cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom.
Try to include these fruits, vegetables and spices into your Christmas menu.
Step 3. Eat mindfully!
Eating mindfully is one way to become more conscious of what and how we are eating. Follow these steps to have a more mindful dining experience:
LOOK at your meal
Smell it
Imagine what it’s going to taste like
Take a small bite and really concentrate on the taste, the texture in your mouth, any sounds it may make as you chew it, seeds popping and crunching
What can you notice?
Take another bite
As you chew it, does your experience change?
Take small eating breaks often, conscious not to eat your entire plate in Guinness world record time
Wait 15min before getting seconds, and ask yourself, “am I actually hungry or am I content”? Often you’ll find after you wait you are no longer hungry.
Step 4. Get moving!
Movement is ESSENTIAL. It releases stress, burns up glucose and lowers insulin. Plus it produces endorphins, and boost serotonin, making us happier. When you don’t get enough, the body starts to look for other ways to blow off steam, like binging on Sugar.
After your Christmas lunch/dinner, get up and go for a walk around the block.
Stretch regularly throughout the day – don’t sit down all day
Hopefully you can now see how it IS possible to quit sugar even though it’s Christmas and the holiday season.
Wishing you a relaxing, restorative and healthy break.