How to Break Sugar Addiction: Effective Strategies to Stop Cravings and Protect Your Health

Have you ever ever truly thought of how a lot sugar you’re truly consuming in a day?

Like actually thought of it?

As a result of I feel most of us, at the least on some degree, most likely notice that sugar is just not nice.

However it’s additionally fairly straightforward to not likely take into consideration how a lot sugar you’re truly consuming every day.

Or what all that sugar is definitely doing to your physique.

Or the truth that for those who’re like most individuals, you’re truly hooked on sugar and also you don’t even notice it….even for those who assume you don’t have a sugar drawback.

And that’s why on this submit I needed to take a deep dive into all issues sugar, together with a number of the not-so-obvious indicators that you just may be consuming an excessive amount of, but additionally what it truly means to DETOX your physique from sugar, and how much an influence that may have in your well being.

It’s positively a meaty weblog submit with LOTS of sensible takeaways, however my hope is that it’ll encourage you to take motion.

The truth is that SO MUCH of what we’ve been informed our complete life about what’s wholesome and what’s not wholesome is simply flat out WRONG. There may be SO a lot misinformation on the market —misinformation that has actually been purchased and paid for by the massive meals corporations and the sugar business and the pharmaceutical corporations, and that’s the reason so many people proceed to wrestle with getting wholesome and dropping pounds, even once we assume we’re doing the precise issues.

And quite a lot of it comes all the way down to sugar and sugar dependancy, which is precisely what I need to handle on this submit. As a result of sugar is a HUGE enemy to your well being and weight targets and we’re going to blow the lid on why that’s and what you are able to do about it.

However earlier than we dive in, one factor I DO need to be certain that to say is that if you’re new to this web site, and to the entire Thinlicious motion, then you need to know that I’ve put collectively a very superior and completely FREE on-demand coaching video known as Wholesome, Completely happy, and Free that’s designed that can assist you map out a personalised plan for bettering your well being, primarily based on the confirmed metabolic science that we observe in our program. 

It is going to show you how to perceive why what you’ve probably tried till now hasn’t labored, and what you are able to do in another way to get wholesome and drop some weight WITHOUT weight-reduction plan, WITHOUT medicine, and WITHOUT making your self depressing.

And once more, it’s completely free. All you must do to get it’s go to Thinlicious.com/prepared. 

Alright, let’s dive in to the subject of the day —the truth that most of us are sugar addicts and in determined want of a sugar detox.

And I do know which may have seemed like a daring assertion, however I hope that phrase “addict” truly obtained your consideration. It SHOULD seize your consideration. As a result of being an addict is rarely actually a very good factor, proper? It’s not usually one thing we’re pleased with.

And but, even if our ENTIRE SOCIETY is hooked on sugar, and even if this dependancy has actually brought on an epidemic of illness and weight problems in our nation, nobody actually appears to care that a lot.

We simply maintain feeding the beast.

Sugar is actually in every single place; it’s virtually not possible to flee. The meals corporations add it to virtually each single meals the manufacture, realizing full effectively how addictive it’s. In reality, they rely on it.

And on the similar time, we’ve elevated sugar to a logo of affection and happiness and pleasure.

Folks supply us apple pies, our favourite desserts, and candies as tokens of affection. Nearly each vacation on our calendar is widely known with… you guessed it… candy treats.

It’s no surprise kicking this dependancy is an uphill battle!

However step one is definitely realizing you might need an issue.

5 Stunning Indicators You Are Hooked on Sugar

So let’s begin by a number of the not-so-obvious indicators of sugar dependancy that you just’ve probably been lacking, or blaming on different components.

Signal #1: You’re at all times hungry

The primary signal that you just may be consuming an excessive amount of sugar is that you just’re at all times hungry, even proper after you’ve simply eaten an enormous meal. And it’s because sugar has a method of spiking your blood sugar ranges, which in flip triggers the discharge of the hormone insulin. And when your insulin ranges go up, it may truly make you are feeling even hungrier, and trigger you to crave much more sugar and carbohydrates.

That is what’s often known as the “sugar rollercoaster,” and it’s a really actual factor that lots of people expertise every day with out even realizing it. You eat one thing that’s excessive in sugar or carbohydrates, your blood sugar spikes, you get somewhat burst of vitality, after which just a few hours later, you come crashing down and you are feeling drained and irritable and HUNGRY, so that you attain for one thing else that’s excessive in sugar or carbohydrates, and the entire cycle begins yet again.

And it’s a tough cycle to interrupt, as a result of the extra sugar you eat, the extra you crave it. In reality, some research have proven that sugar can truly be MORE addictive than cocaine, and that it has a really comparable impact on the mind. And that’s why, for those who’re somebody who’s at all times hungry, and who’s at all times craving sugar and carbohydrates, it’s the primary signal that you just’re truly hooked on sugar, and that you just’re consuming much more of it than you notice.

Signal #2: You’re drained on a regular basis

The second not-so-obvious signal that you just may be consuming an excessive amount of sugar is that you just really feel drained on a regular basis. And that is one other quite common drawback that lots of people expertise every day, and that may usually be attributed to unstable blood sugar ranges and a weight loss program that’s excessive in sugar and carbohydrates.

As a result of whenever you’re consuming quite a lot of sugar and carbohydrates, and your blood sugar ranges are continuously spiking and crashing, it may have a serious influence in your vitality ranges.

You would possibly discover that you’ve got quite a lot of vitality proper after you eat one thing that’s excessive in sugar or carbohydrates, however then just a few hours later, you come crashing down and you are feeling drained and torpid and such as you want a nap. And so that you attain for one thing else that’s excessive in sugar or carbohydrates, and the entire cycle begins yet again.

In order that’s the second large factor to be careful for —lack of vitality and feeling drained on a regular basis.

Signal #3: You’ve gotten bother sleeping

And that brings me to the third not-so-obvious signal that you just may be consuming an excessive amount of sugar, which is carefully associated, and that’s that you’ve got bother sleeping.

As a result of because it seems, what you eat in the course of the day can have a huge impact on how effectively you sleep at night time. So that you would possibly assume the explanation you’re drained on a regular basis is since you’re not sleeping effectively at night time, however the motive you’re most likely not sleeping effectively at night time is due to the sugar additionally.

As a result of in case your blood sugar ranges are continuously spiking and crashing all through the day, that may even have a huge impact in your sleep cycles, and make it more durable so that you can go to sleep and keep asleep. You would possibly discover that you’ve got a tough time falling asleep at night time, or that you just get up lots in the course of the night time, or that you just simply don’t really feel very well-rested within the morning.

In order that’s the third factor —you’re simply not getting very prime quality sleep.

Signal #4: You’ve gotten quite a lot of digestive points

The fourth stunning signal that you just may be consuming an excessive amount of sugar is that you’ve got quite a lot of digestive points. And this shouldn’t come as an enormous shock, however what you eat has a huge impact in your intestine well being, and on how effectively your digestive system is functioning.

And that is very true for those who’re consuming quite a lot of sugar and carbohydrates, and your weight loss program could be very excessive in processed meals and low in fiber. It’s mainly wreaking havoc in your intestine biome and your intestine micro organism. As a result of all of these issues will be very onerous in your digestive system, and might result in quite a lot of frequent digestive points, like bloating and fuel and constipation and even diarrhea. You may additionally discover that you’ve got quite a lot of heartburn or acid reflux disorder, or that you just simply don’t really feel very effectively after you eat.

In order that’s one other factor to be careful for —digestive points.

Signal #5: You’ve gotten quite a lot of aches and pains

And that brings me to the fifth not-so-obvious signal that you just may be consuming an excessive amount of sugar, and that’s that you’ve got quite a lot of aches and pains. As a result of because it seems, what you eat can have a huge impact on the irritation ranges in your physique, and on how effectively your joints and muscular tissues are functioning.

The truth is that sugar and extremely processed meals that are typically excessive in sugar and carbohydrates are all extremely inflammatory, and in addition contribute to leaky intestine syndrome, which is when the liner of your intestine turns into too permeable and begins leaking meals particles into your bloodstream, which causes even MORE irritation.

And all of these issues will be very onerous in your physique, and might result in quite a lot of frequent aches and pains, like complications and migraines and joint ache and muscle ache. You may additionally discover that you’ve got quite a lot of irritation in your physique or that your arms and ft are generally swollen or that you just’re battling pores and skin points like eczema or pimples.

And whereas all of these indicators and signs may appear completely unrelated, the fact is that all of them level again to the truth that you’re consuming method an excessive amount of sugar.

Kinda scary proper?

However how have you learnt whether or not you’re truly ADDICTED to sugar?

What’s Sugar Habit?

I suppose to reply that query, we should always begin by defining what we imply by “sugar dependancy.”

Once we discuss being hooked on sugar, we’re not simply speaking about having fun with a candy deal with every now and then.

We’re speaking a few dependence on sugar that may have an effect on your mind and physique very like a drug. Once you devour sugar, your mind releases dopamine, the “feel-good” chemical, which creates a rewarding sensation. Over time, your mind craves extra sugar to attain the identical pleasure, resulting in a cycle of dependancy.

And for many of us, that is occurring with out even realizing it as a result of sugar is in a lot of the meals that we eat.

And that’s principally as a result of within the late 70s and early 80s, the meals business discovered the best way to begin extracting fructose from corn and different sources, creating a brand new, extremely addictive product known as excessive fructose corn syrup.

They began including it to just about EVERYTHING. And that’s when all hell broke free. It’s added to bread, ketchup, sauces, salad dressings, and just about any processed meals you may consider. Potato chips. Cereal. Granola bars. Even issues like yogurt and sports activities drinks.

And like I stated, the meals corporations WANT so as to add excessive fructose corn syrup to as a lot meals as they’ll, as a result of they KNOW it’s addictive, and that it’ll make us crave extra.

So the extra we eat, the extra addicted we turn out to be.

And the one actual approach to truly break that dependancy, identical to for those who have been hooked on medicine, is to detox fully.

So what does that really seem like?

The right way to Detox from Sugar

Nicely, I’ll be trustworthy with you, relying on simply how hooked on sugar you’re, it may very well be somewhat tough. Your physique will struggle you. Your mind will struggle you. And for at the least just a few days, you most likely received’t really feel excellent, since you’re experiencing actual withdrawal.

However that doesn’t imply you shouldn’t attempt, as a result of the advantages are SO price it.

So let’s discuss just a few steps you may take to make your sugar detox a actuality.

Perceive that it’s an dependancy

First, it’s good to UNDERSTAND that it’s an dependancy. You must perceive that what you’re feeling isn’t just an absence of willpower. It’s an actual, physiological response that’s occurring in your physique. And the extra you may perceive that, the extra you may have MERCY on your self, and the extra you may have COMPASSION for your self.

As a result of I feel that’s the factor that journeys quite a lot of us up, proper? We beat ourselves up for not having sufficient willpower. We beat ourselves up for not having the ability to withstand. We beat ourselves up for giving in. After which we really feel responsible and ashamed. And what can we do once we really feel responsible and ashamed? We EAT MORE SUGAR.

It’s a vicious cycle.

However the extra you may perceive that it’s an ADDICTION, the extra you can begin to reframe the way in which you consider it. As a result of we don’t often beat ourselves up for being hooked on medicine or alcohol. We’ve compassion for people who find themselves battling these sorts of addictions. We attempt to get them assist. We assist them of their restoration.

And that’s the mindset that you must have in the case of overcoming your sugar dependancy. You must deal with it like a REAL dependancy, as a result of that’s what it’s. And you must have compassion for your self, and be keen to hunt out the assistance and assist that it’s good to get well.

And that’s truly a very large a part of what we do inside our TAS program. We offer that assist. We offer the instruments and the assets and the data that it’s good to truly RECOVER out of your sugar dependancy, and to get your physique to a spot the place it’s now not CRAVING sugar on a regular basis.

In order that’s the very first thing —perceive that it’s an dependancy, and have compassion for your self.

Minimize out the apparent sources of sugar

The second step, then, is to really minimize out the apparent sources of sugar out of your weight loss program. And I do know that sounds actually primary, but it surely’s one thing that lots of people wrestle with, as a result of we don’t at all times notice simply how a lot sugar we’re truly consuming.

As a result of like I stated earlier than, sugar is actually in EVERYTHING. And it’s in quite a lot of issues that we don’t even THINK about as being candy. It’s in all of the bread and the pasta and the rice and the potatoes. It’s in all of the sauces and the dressings and the condiments. It’s in all of the processed meals and the packaged meals and the quick meals. It’s in all of the drinks we like to drink. It’s in all of the issues that we eat once we’re not even actually HUNGRY.

And so step one to reducing out the apparent sources of sugar is to really turn out to be AWARE of the place the sugar is hiding in your weight loss program. And one of the best ways to do this is to start out READING LABELS. I do know it’s a ache within the butt, but it surely’s so necessary. You must begin studying the labels on the whole lot you eat, to be able to see simply how a lot sugar is in there.

And I feel you’ll be SHOCKED. I do know I used to be. As a result of I used to assume that I didn’t eat that a lot sugar. I wasn’t an enormous sweet eater, and I didn’t actually drink soda. So I assumed I used to be doing fairly good. However then I began truly READING LABELS, and I noticed that I used to be consuming sugar in virtually the whole lot I used to be consuming. Even the stuff that I assumed was wholesome, like yogurt and granola and protein bars.

So begin studying labels, and turn out to be AWARE of the place the sugar is hiding in your weight loss program to be able to keep away from them. On the similar time give attention to consuming REAL, WHOLE FOODS as a lot as doable. Meals that don’t have labels. Meals which are as near their pure state as doable. Meals that you must cook dinner and put together your self.

As a result of the extra you are able to do that, the extra you’ll routinely be reducing out quite a lot of the apparent sources of sugar. And also you’ll even be reducing out quite a lot of the opposite CRAP that’s in processed and packaged meals, just like the vegetable oils and the preservatives and the unreal flavors and colours.

So truly eliminating the sugar out of your weight loss program —that’s a fairly important step to your sugar detox.

Concentrate on protein and wholesome fat

However that’s not the final step. The third factor that I feel is basically necessary in the case of overcoming your sugar dependancy is to really give attention to EATING ENOUGH PROTEIN AND HEALTHY FATS. And that is additionally one thing that we discuss lots in our program, as a result of it’s an enormous a part of what makes our TAS system so efficient.

However the actuality is that the majority of us aren’t consuming sufficient protein and wholesome fat. We simply don’t.

However I’m telling you, your physique truly NEEDS protein and wholesome fat to be able to operate correctly. Your physique wants protein to construct and restore tissues, to make enzymes and hormones, and to assist your immune system operate. And your physique wants wholesome fat that can assist you soak up sure nutritional vitamins and minerals, to guard your organs, and to assist regulate your hormones.

And whenever you’re not getting sufficient protein and wholesome fat, your physique will truly begin to CRAVE the issues that it’s lacking. You’ll begin to really feel hungry and unhappy on a regular basis. And that may make it lots more durable to withstand the sugar.

However the extra you may truly give attention to consuming sufficient protein and wholesome fat, the extra you’ll be capable to AVOID these sugar and carb cravings. As a result of protein and wholesome fat are much more FILLING and SATISFYING than carbohydrates. They’ll assist maintain you full and energized all through the day, and so they’ll assist stabilize your blood sugar ranges.

In order that’s the third factor —truly give attention to consuming sufficient protein and wholesome fat.

Follow Self Care Whereas You Detox

The fourth and remaining step that I feel is basically necessary in the case of overcoming sugar cravings is to follow some severe self-care when you detox. And that is one thing that quite a lot of us don’t actually take into consideration, but it surely’s truly an enormous a part of the equation.

As a result of to begin with, there’s an excellent likelihood you’re not going to really feel good. You would possibly really feel shaky or lightheaded. You’ll most likely have complications. You’ll be extraordinarily drained and torpid. You’ll probably get nauseated and should even throw up. You would possibly even really feel like you’ve the flu. And these signs will most likely final for wherever from 2-3 days to every week or extra.

So be prepared for that. And be sensible about it.

Don’t do a sugar detox the identical week you’ve an necessary undertaking due at work.

You’ll need to get loads of sleep and plan methods of taking good care of your self, whether or not it’s binge-watching your favourite present on Netflix or taking lengthy walks exterior or soaking within the tub.

You’ll additionally need to be sure you have ELECTROLYTES readily available and that you just’re ingesting LOTS of water to assist flush out your system, but additionally to maintain you hydrated as you’ll be dropping quite a lot of important minerals when you detox.

That can truly assist a LOT with the detox signs, so I can’t emphasize it sufficient!

However it’s good to be KIND to your self when you detox. Put together to take it straightforward for just a few days. As a result of this too shall go.

After which remind your self that just a few days of discomfort are definitely worth the lifelong well being advantages you’re going to expertise.

The Advantages of Eliminating Sugar

So what are these advantages? Oh my goodness, the place do I even start?! There are such a lot of however let’s begin with certainly one of my favorites.

Extra Power

First off, say whats up to higher vitality ranges. Once you minimize out sugar, you keep away from these nasty sugar crashes that go away you feeling like a zombie by mid-afternoon. As an alternative, you’ll discover your vitality is extra secure all through the day. Think about truly maintaining together with your youngsters or grandkids, or higher but, outlasting them!

Improved Temper

Subsequent, you’ll discover an enormous enchancment in your temper. No extra feeling irritable, moody, or anxious due to sugar fluctuations in your blood sugar ranges.

Higher Sleep

With improved vitality ranges and temper, you may additionally discover that you just sleep higher at night time. With out the spikes and crashes from sugar consumption, your physique can regulate its hormones correctly, resulting in extra restful nights.

Clearer, Brighter Pores and skin

Subsequent up, you’ll have clearer pores and skin. Yep, ditching sugar can work wonders on your complexion. Sugar is thought to trigger irritation, which may result in breakouts and even speed up getting old, and who wants extra wrinkles, proper? So, reducing it out might imply fewer breakouts and a youthful glow—double win!

Weight Loss

Then there’s the load issue. Dropping sugar means you’re not wreaking havoc together with your hormones, which isn’t solely helpful to your general well being, however may also help you shed these cussed kilos as effectively.

Decrease Threat of Power Illness

Talking of your general well being, decreasing sugar consumption can decrease your danger of continual illnesses like coronary heart illness, autoimmune circumstances, and sure cancers. It’s like including years to your life simply by making a easy dietary change.

Extra Steady Blood Sugar Ranges

On the similar time, you’ll expertise extra secure blood sugar ranges. By eliminating sugar out of your weight loss program, you may stop insulin resistance and different metabolic issues. This implies a decrease danger of growing sort 2 diabetes, in addition to higher general well being and longevity.

Improved Cognitive Perform

Final however actually not least, reducing out sugar improves mind operate. No extra foggy mind! You’ll discover it simpler to pay attention and bear in mind issues, making you sharper at work and in your every day life.

Mainly, there’s not part of your general well being that received’t be improved by detoxing your physique from sugar and breaking your dependancy.

It’s actually buying and selling just a few days of discomfort for a lifetime of rewards.

And on the finish of the day, you’re price it!

Okay my associates, that’s the whole lot I’ve for you on this submit.

I hope this was useful and that you just’re impressed to take some motion and truly do the factor —plan a sugar detox and expertise allllllll the superb advantages to your well being.

But when it nonetheless feels scary and also you’re undecided you are able to do all of it by yourself, please additionally know that our TAS program might be probably the most superb place you’ll ever discover for assist in your well being journey.

Our neighborhood and our teaching group is like no different, and we’re SO good at strolling you thru each a part of your journey, step-by-step. Once more, if you need extra information on the best way to get began, you may try my free coaching at Thinlicous.com/prepared