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Health & Fitness

One Simple Thing: Overcome Your Sugar Addiction

Even the very best intentions to eat more healthfully are often disrupted by one of the most common diet-crashing culprits… sugar. Learn how to break yourself free from a sugar addiction.

Even the very best intentions to eat more healthfully are often disrupted by one of the most common diet-crashing culprits… sugar. 

Let’s call this food what it is—a drug. A Princeton study found that sugar can be an addictive substance, wielding its power over the brains of lab animals in a manner similar to many abused drugs.

It’s time to break the addiction. Unfortunately, there are no 12-step programs dedicated to getting you off sugar. We are bombarded with tempting, beautifully crafted marketing messages on a daily basis, all designed to lure us into the evil lair where sugar awaits. Worse, we are duped into choosing foods that are marketed to us as healthier, lower fat options, when actually the fat has just been replaced with a greater evil… sugar. 

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If you are struggling with losing or maintaining your weight, sugar is most likely at the very heart of your problem. No matter what form it takes, whether it be in the simple carb form of white rice or white flour, or something more obvious like ice cream or chocolate, it has the same detrimental effect on our bodies: it makes us feel good for awhile, but then it tears us down to the ground--just like an addict who needs another fix.

There are a few simple steps you can take to kick the sugar habit:

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1. Reduce processed foods.

I know, I say this over and over again, but the benefits of choosing whole foods are endless. When you choose foods that are made by Mother Earth, you eliminate the possibility of added sugar. 

2. Get in the habit of reading labels

Forget the marketing messages on the front of the package. Turn the box around and look at how many grams of sugar are in the foods you choose. Try to choose foods that have 5 grams or less of sugar per serving. Watch for words ending in -ose (fructose) in the ingredients. Ose equals sugar and it should be avoided. You will start to notice that sugar is hiding is some of the most unlikely places.

3. Use healthy substitutes.

Try some alternative sweeteners such as xylitol or stevia. Avoid chemically laden artificial sweeteners like Splenda. Before you reach for a processed, sugary snack, try eating a piece of fruit first. Usually, you can eliminate a sweet craving with nature's candy, fruit.

4. Realize sugar will “love you and leave you.”

Commercials that claim a candy bar like Snickers will satisfy hunger are a hoax. The candy bar will satisfy your sweet tooth, make you feel good temporarily, and then leave you looking for more in about 30 minutes. Foods like this love you and leave you quickly. Instead, choose foods that you love and that love you back.  A handful of almonds and an orange not only taste good but will nourish the body with vitamins, minerals, and essential fats.

Elaina Smith is the owner of Studio One to One, a personal training studio offering customized fitness solutions in Milton. For more information, visit www.studio-onetoone.com or call (678) 367-3619.

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