Sugar may taste sweet but it can have bitter consequences on your overall health. Its well known that sugar accelerates the aging process, wreaking havoc on your immune system and decreasing cognitive function. Other health problems include an increase in anxiety levels, weight gain, heart disease and even acne.

Taking control of your sugar cravings means taking control of your health. While avoiding sugar may seem difficult, it can become manageable and even enjoyable – when you know how. Take a look at the simple steps below and get started towards your healthiest year yet in 2018…!

1. Choose To Crunch

Green crunchy vegetables such as cucumber, green beans, peppers, lettuce, along with carrots and tomatoes, are all vitamin rich and sugar-free alternatives that will satisfy that hungry feeling.

Crunchy vegetables are also a good option for anyone with sugar cravings as they will satisfy and quench your tastebuds – without the sweet stuff! Along with ensuring you get your 5 a day, eating crunchy vegetables can break the habit of reaching for sweets or chocolate.

If you aren’t used to the taste of raw veggies, try adding a little Himalayan sea salt, fresh, herbs, a drizzle of olive oil or lemon juice for flavour.

 

2. Opt For Natural Alternatives

Xylitol is a natural alternative to many sugars such as honey or stevia. Xylitol is often considered the natural sweetener of choice because it does not impact blood sugar levels in the way that regular refined sugar does.

Xylitol can also kill many strains of bacteria, including streptococcus mutans. This is one of the main reasons it is so beneficial for dental health. Consider choosing xylitol as a better option when selecting something sweet to eat.

 

3. Add Cinnamon

Cinnamon can support healthy blood sugar levels by lowering insulin resistance. This makes adding Cinnamon to your porridge, smoothie or sweet drink a healthy choice – especially for Type 2 Diabetics or anyone with insulin resistance according to studies. Ceylon Cinnamon is the highest quality available and will therefore provide more of the health benefits.

 

4. Stop Buying Packaged Products

Sugar is often used to enhance and mask a wide variety of packaged foods, that are otherwise depleted of nutrients. There are also many hidden sugars in processed foods that you might not be aware of that can wreak havoc on your health.

For example, a slice of white bread can contain as much as 3g of sugar. While many breakfast cereals can contain anywhere from 8g -37g of sugar per 100g serving of cereal(!).

If you want to get healthy and control your blood sugar – avoiding processed and packaged foods is absolutely essential.

This includes cutting out ALL grains – wheat, rice, pastries, pizza…and limiting your sugar take to the very minimum and/or none at all. Instead focus on eating more greens, dark skinned fruits, and choose non-starchy grains such as quinoa and millet.

 

5. Feel Good By Raising Your Serotonin Levels

Instead of getting your high from your favourite sugary snack, choose to get your adrenaline rush from exercise instead.

Get out and about, being active in nature – walking, cycling, swimming – anything that raises a sweat, boosts your energy levels and encourages your brain to produce serotonin (a feel-good chemical) will enhance your overall wellbeing. So much so that you may even forget all about your sweet tooth!

 

Recommended Examples

These products can best support your blood sugar levels…

Cinnamon27™ – Contains Ceylon Cinnamon that can support, lower and maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Available from Good Health Naturally.