Sugar Addicts Anonymous: The 12
Step Program to Beating Sugar Addiction
By James Keller
Watkins enhancing lives
since 1868.
Most of us don't realize it, but we are drug addicts. Our
drug comes in a pure, white crystal or powder form. We use it even when we don't know
we're doing it. It's in salad dressing, peanut butter, soup, pickles, bread, jam, yogurt,
canned fruits and vegetables... We crave it after every meal. On an average, each of us
consumes about 130 lbs. per year. What is this controversial drug, you ask. It goes by
many names, but the most common is sugar.
This deliciously sweet substance is also deliciously devoid
of any nutritional value. Sugar passes through the wall of the stomach so quickly that it
causes blood sugar levels to skyrocket, then plummet just as rapidly. I'm sure you are
familiar with the feeling.
The problem that arises in coping with sugar addiction is
that sugar is in so many common foods now, it's practically impossible to cut it out
completely. You can't eat a sandwich without getting sugar from the bread or the mayo. You
can't eat a salad without getting sugar from the dressing.
Beating sugar addiction may seem like a hopeless battle,
but just like any drug addiction, you have to have a structured plan to win the war. I
make no claims that it will be an easy battle. You won't be vomiting in back alleys or
shivering in bed all night, but you will have the uncontrollable desire for something,
anything that will give you your sugar fix.
Here is your twelve step program to beating sugar
addiction. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it:
1. Stick to foods that are closest to their original form.
Instead of eating corn from a can, eat corn on the cob. Banish white bread and embrace
wheat bread. Forget fruit juices; go for the actual fruit. The closer a food is to it's
original form, then less processed sugar it will contain.
2. Eat protein with breakfast. Breakfast is the most
important meal of the day, but do you know why? Breakfast is the meal that will make or
break you for the rest of the day. Your first meal must create blood sugar stability that
will carry you to the next meal without sugar cravings.
3. Eat protein with every meal. As soon as your blood sugar
is thrown out of whack, you will be off the wagon again. Eating protein with each meal
prepares your body for the increase of seratonin production and keeps your blood sugar
stable throughout the day.
4. Read Labels! It's incredible how many things we put into
our mouths without the slightest idea what is in them. The longer the list of ingredients,
the more likely sugar is going to be included on that list.
5. Don't starve yourself in order to reward your restraint
with a donut or a Twix. Not only is this bad for your body, but you won't lose weight.
Your body will just go into starvation mode, storing all your calories as fat. So that
slice of chocolate cake you eat after a seven hour fast is going straight to fat.
6. Keep a journal of what you eat. You will be surprised,
and probably shocked, by the amount of sugar-filled snacks and extras involved in your
diet. Write down everything, down to those five M&Ms or that tablespoon of teriyaki
sauce.
7. Brown is beautiful: brown rice, wheat bread, brown
cereals, etc... Brown foods give your body the positive effects of carbohydrates without
unbalancing your blood sugar and creating cravings.
8. Be active and keep busy. Most of us snack the most when
we are bored and inactive. Go for a walk. Go shopping. Organize your entire house.
Anything to keep your hands busy and away from the cookie jar.
9. Eat a potato before bed. Before your head explodes from
the thought of eating a starchy, carbohydrate-filled potato right before bed, consider
this: when taken with the right vitamins, that spud will increase your production of
seratonin, balancing your blood sugar levels. Besides, it's better than eating ice cream
before bed.
10. Try a detox program. Detoxing isn't just for yoga yogis
and Enya junkies anymore. There are dozens of detox programs designed for health
enthusiasts of all levels. Some last two days, some last two months. But they all have one
thing in common: after the initial overwhelming sugar cravings, your body adjusts and you
won't even want the sugar anymore.
11. Drink water constantly. The more water you drink, the
more your body will be fooled into thinking it is not hungry. Plus, you can rest assured
that there is not a grain of sugar in water.
12. Don't get down on yourself if you slip and eat a desert
every once in a while. It's okay to reward yourself, just don't start the addiction all
over again. There are always healthier options for deserts. Eat berries with some
low-calorie whipped topping. Snack on a couple of graham crackers. Maybe you would be
healthier if you cut out sugar altogether forever, but people who do things in moderation
get the best of both worlds. Enjoy your life, but don't overdo it.
***********************************************
About The Author:
James Keller,Philadelphia Pa.USA
Email: jkeller@watkinsonline.com
Watkins enhancing lives
since 1868.
James Keller is a distributor for Watkins. He began using
their products over (5) years ago and whenever he metioned this to people they were amazed
that watkins was still around.James enjoys meeting and sharing information about Watkins
product and services.You can visit Jame's website at: Watkins enhancing lives since
1868.
Email: jkeller@watkinsonline.com
