Top Tips To Curb Those Sugar Cravings

Are you constantly yearning for those sugary indulgences that you're well aware aren't doing your health any favors? Look no further! In this blog article, we'll provide you with some invaluable tips to kick those sugar cravings to the curb and bid farewell to sugar for good.

working

It's essential to recognize that excess sugar intake can potentially lead to various health issues, including candida overgrowth, leaky gut, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, a compromised immune system, and more. Have you ever observed that you or your child tend to fall ill a week or two after celebrations like birthday parties, Easter, Halloween, or Christmas? If this sounds familiar, read on to discover strategies for a healthier, sugar-free lifestyle.

Were you aware that the World Health Organization recommends just 3 teaspoons of added sugar per day for kids, 6 teaspoons for adult females, and 9 for adult males?! Considering one small container of yoghurt contains around 3 to 4 teaspoons and a glass of orange juice contains around 6 teaspoons, it's easy to go over this recommended amount.

Navigating the myriad of sugar options can be quite perplexing. Is it alright to enjoy fruits, or should you opt for honey and dried fruits instead? And what about artificial sweeteners or Stevia? For clarity on these questions and more, be sure to dive into "The Sweet Truth: Unraveling the Sugar Confusion".

So, what are your top tips to decrease sugar cravings?

• Try including healthy fats like nuts, seeds, avocado, fatty fish, and olive oil in every meal. 

• Increase your intake of protein e.g. high-quality meat & fish, legumes, eggs, nuts & seeds

• Drink more water. Make sure you stay hydrated.

• Consider taking magnesium supplements.  

• Chromium supplements can also be helpful.

• Check your iron levels and/or zinc status. (See "3 key nutrients you're probably lacking") 

• Try a piece of (very) dark, low sugar Chocolate or some blueberries.

• Take apple cider vinegar. Either daily, when cravings hit, or after consuming too much sugar. If you're concerned about your teeth follow these recommendations:

1. Dilute with water (1-2 Tablespoons of vinegar to almost one cup / 8 ounces of water).

2. Drink it through a straw to avoid direct contact with your teeth.

3. Rinse with water after taking it.

4. Don't brush right away!

5. Take it as a supplement in pill form.

If you're still struggling, have regular slip-ups, or if a candida overgrowth is likely you may need some additional help.

A favourite is the herbal supplement berberine for adults and NDF Happy for kids.

Berberine is a bitter-tasting, yellow-colored alkaloid compound extracted from several medicinal herbs and plants, like European Barberry, Goldenseal, Tree turmeric, or Californian Poppy. My favourite Berberine supplement comes from Thorne Research and is extracted from the root of the Berberis aristata plant.

Berberine is commonly used for metabolic, heart, and vascular health. A few studies have shown it to be effective for those with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and insulin sensitivity.

The yellow flowers of the medicinal plant Barberry or Berberis.

Because it has powerful anti-microbial properties I would not recommend long-term use of Berberine without the assistance or support of a health professional. A few capsules after a sugar or alcohol binge, or until cravings subside is a valuable tool to have on hand.

A pilot study in 2008 found that Berberine worked just as well as the diabetes medication metformin when it comes to controlling blood sugar levels and without the nasty side effects!

Bioray NDF Happy is another herbal product that can help remove unwanted toxins in kids and reduce sugar cravings. Long-term use is also not recommended unless working with a trained professional.

A candida overgrowth from excess sugar and carb consumption can be extremely detrimental to one's health. It can also be very challenging to get rid of without help from a health practitioner who understands how to address its protective biofilm. You can learn more about Candida here or find out how I can help as a certified functional medicine practitioner by booking a free discovery call.

Remember, excessive sugar intake also increases your risk of diabetes (type 2), heart disease, tooth decay, gout, mood disorders, fatty liver, obesity, learning difficulties, high blood pressure, Alzheimer's, cancer, and more. It certainly can have serious consequences, so avoiding sugar is a must if you want any chance of staying healthy.