Breaking a Sugar Addiction

Breaking free from a dependency on sugar is much easier said than done. There is an unhealthy abundance of sugar in the American diet. It’s hard to find foods in our stores that don’t add sugar, which is why so many of us are addicted to the sweet stuff and are suffering with several health problems.


Because the roots of sugar addiction are both physical and emotional, you need a combination of physical and psychological approaches. The less you eat sugar, the less you will crave it. If you get withdrawal symptoms, know they will only last a few days and then you'll feel more balanced and energetic than ever.

Here are some tactics that may help you break your sugar addiction:

• Keep sugary products out of your house. Eat enough healthy food to satisfy your hunger. Eat snacks like fruit, carrots, red pepper, cherry tomatoes, dates, and dried fruit to satisfy your sweet tooth. Drink plenty of water, too. Frozen fruit, whole or pureed, makes a delicious alternative to ice cream. Once you have cleansed your system, your taste buds will become more sensitive, and these whole natural foods will taste sweeter and more satisfying.

• Eat three regular meals each day that combine complex carbohydrates (vegetables, whole grains, and fruits), lean protein (poultry, fish, meat, dairy, tofu) and healthy fats (omega-3's, olive oil and other cold-pressed oils). This will help you maintain a steady blood sugar level throughout the day and reduce your sugar cravings. Also, eat a diet high in fiber which will help reduce sugar cravings.

• Take a multivitamin and mineral supplement. Chromium picolinate and l-glutamine can help reduce cravings for some people.

• Get plenty of sleep, sunlight and exercise which can help reduce sugar cravings.

• Learn to identify what’s causing your cravings. Many people turn to sugary foods when they are stressed, bored or tired. Instead, try exercising, meditating or doing something fun that you enjoy.

• Be kind to yourself. To end the struggle with sugar, learn to nourish your body well and respond compassionately to your own feelings.

In conclusion, addiction to sugar has lead to a variety of health problems such as obesity, hypertension, and heart problems to name a few. Overcoming sugar addiction is important if you plan to live a long, healthy life, and want your family to also. If you’re serious, contact me about my upcoming Transitions classes where you will learn how to beat the sugar addiction so it doesn’t beat you!