I'm excited to share a guest post written by Ali Brody, a Philadelphia-based, holistic health counselor. I met Ali in a club while working on a BBC.com/Travel story about the great city's music scene. We quickly figured out we're both into health and wellness but it wasn't until we Skyped that we also discovered a shared culinary Achilles heel...sugar.
For me, sugar can be a real trigger to overeat. My overactive sweet tooth is present all the time and at more sensitive times, it can be difficult to self-discipline with a strong No. I've given it up completely for periods (the longest was a year and a half without sugar, flour or wheat!) but now I go for moderation and balance. Specifically, I allow myself one dessert a week and the rest of the time do my best to abstain completely.
Ali's post gives some great advice on how to let go of the hard sugar (high fructose corn syrup) and find more natural alternatives to eat in its place. I added a few links in case you want to learn a bit more on a few related topics like mindfulness, ways to build successful habits and one of my favorite Janet Jackson videos. :)
Enjoy and I hope Ali's post helps motivate you like it's motivating me to eat MORE of what the body deserves and LESS of what it doesn't need...
SUGAR! LET'S GET FREE
BY: Ali Brody
I am someone whose daily water ice habit (water ice is a dessert concoction of water, ice, sugar, food coloring, artificial flavor and maybe a bit of real fruit or fruit juice) taught me sugar addiction is real. My days did not feel complete without this colorful, icy sweet treat! I finally decided to give it up and I am now water ice free for almost three years.
Letting go of that food helped me become entirely free, by which I mean I have no cravings. I can decide every now and then that I want something with sugar, like a delicious hot fudge sundae, and it is a peaceful, fun decision.
Like me, you can beat this beast and be better for it. LET’S GET FREE…
I am an integrative health coach, so I’m going to approach this from 3 levels. I used to love choose your own adventure books and my approach is to give you the power to choose how far you want to go!
Find a Healthier Sugar Source
Fruit, honey, maple syrup and agave are all better options than refined white sugar. Some of my current favorite healthy sweet options are:
*Home made applesauce
*Banana, cinnamon & almond butter smoothies
*Maple sweetened vegan chocolate mousse
*Dried white peaches
*Use leftover grains to make sweet porridge. Drizzle maple syrup and sprinkle cinnamon, or add hemp milk and bananas.
There are so many good, healthy, sweet options. Experiment and enjoy.
Be Proactive
There are natural sugars in many vegetables. By eating sweet vegetables you can eat really healthy foods and nip the sugar craving in the bud before it even happens. Sweet potatoes, corn, carrots, acorn and butternut squash are all foods that have a lot to offer while also being sweet. Mindfully check in with yourself to gauge how any of these foods affect your cravings througout the day.
Connect with the Source
Your sugar cravings are a form of inner communication. Often these pesky cravings are in response to stress or a yearning for comfort or more fun. When you get a sugar craving, ask yourself -- Is this craving connected my feeling low? Give some attention to that feeling and see if you can figure out what it's about. Give yourself some well deserved love and self care, which may be all you're really craving.
You can do this.
All my best,
Ali
Very helpful, right? Ali is here to support you in your attempts to let go of sugar! She can be reached at Ali@HealthyGlow.org for more info about integrative health coaching sessions and a free health consultation. Check out Ali's website at www.HealthyGlow.org.
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