With Easter just passed I wonder how many out there are screaming YES I Need A Sugar Detox!
Sugar is a sneaky little sucker. It's not just found in sweets. It can insidiously creep into all kinds of everyday food, including breakfast cereals, bread, fruit juices, pasta sauces, soup stocks, yoghurts, and many products masquerading as "healthy," "low fat" and "natural." In the long term, too much sugar in the diet can lead to weight gain and diabetes, but it can be harmful in the short term too. Even a moderate intake is linked with foggy brain, fungal infections, mood swings, low energy levels, mucous production, inflammation and lowered immunity. If your diet has been a little sugar rich lately, or if you have been feeling tired and run down, chances are you could benefit from a sugar detox. It's not as hard as it sounds. The trick is to eat the right foods in the first place in order to avoid sugar cravings, and then if you would like something sweet, to surround yourself with healthy options. Below are 5 easy steps you can take to go sugar free. 1. Eat more protein with each meal. This balances your blood glucose and creates a slower release of energy to reduce sugar cravings. Need a quick protein boost? Stock up on nuts and seeds, unsweetened yoghurt, or add a spoonful of hemp or rice protein powder to a smoothie. 2. Eliminate processed carbohydrates. White carbs turn into glucose far too quickly in the body, resulting in a release of insulin by the pancreas. This leads to blood sugar fluctuations and sugar cravings. Avoid these types of carbs and replace them with whole grains like rolled oats, brown rice and quinoa. 3. Stock up on healthy sugar substitutes - Stevia is by far the best, as it is plant derived and has no effect on blood glucose. Agave nectar is very popular at the moment but be careful - it can still increase blood glucose levels (about the same amount as honey). Whatever you do, please avoid artificial sweeteners. They do more harm than good, with studies linking them to neurotoxicity, liver damage, cancer, and would you believe it… weight gain! 4. Avoid processed foods. These often contain hidden sugars, so if you must use them, make sure you read the labels carefully. Look for anything which ends in "-ose" (such as fructose, glucose, maltose… you get the idea) as these are just other types of sugar. My favourite one is "evaporated cane juice." Hellooooo… that's just sugar made to sound healthy! 5. Distract yourself with a fridge full of healthy options! Fresh fruit, young coconuts, raw cacao and fresh juices are all wonderful, nutrient rich distractions which you can have as a treat without any guilt. If sugar cravings arise, try a delaying tactic like making a cup of herbal tea or cutting up a fruit platter. When giving up sugar, the first few days are often the hardest, but gradually your blood sugar will become more balanced, your skin will start to glow, and you never know, you might even shed a couple of those stubborn kilos. And best of all, your mind will feel clearer and you will discover an abundance of energy you had forgotten was possible. Need help in overcoming your sugar addiction? The practitioners at Byron Bay Detox Retreats can assist you. Give us a call to find out more about our detox and wellness services.