Are you often overcome with an urge to splurge on candy, cookies, and cake ? and do you then hate yourself for caving into your cravings?
Do you pop by the drug store for paper goods but always leave with junk food, too? And do you feel like an incurable sugar addict with zero will power?
Take heart. You can quit (or at least cut back on) both sweets and processed, "much-like-sugar carbs" such as white bread, white rice, and pasta.
Back in 1998, I did just that. After diagnosing hypoglycemia, my M.D. told me that eliminating quickie carbs could banish my low-blood sugar symptoms, including my ferocious headaches, unexpected mood swings, debilitating "brain fog" and severe PMS.
Amazingly, all 44 ailments disappeared! I do not exaggerate! After kicking sweets, I felt reborn!
That's why I'm now on a mission to help you, too, break free of your habit. I know that spurning inferior sweets and quickie carbs could turn your life around. You could benefit if you're hypoglycemic, diabetic, overweight -- or if you're just wanting more energy and better concentration.
Here's the non-sugar-coated scoop. If you continue to over-indulge in these nutrient-lacking foods you could:
? Pack on the pounds
? Sap your energy
? Become unfocused
? Undergo Jekyll-Hyde personality transformations
? Jeopardize your love life, and
? Possibly develop hypoglycemia, insulin resistance or diabetes.
If, instead, you choose quality, fiber-filled carbs, you could:
? Peel off excess weight
? Increase your energy
? Concentrate better
? Boost your moods
? Maybe rev up your libido, and
? Possibly reverse your pre-diabetes
Pretty promising, eh?
Here, then, are 7 tried-and-true tips and tactics to help you "just say no" to quickie carbs:
1. Adjust your mindset ? and pronto! Before you can begin to make better dietary decisions, you need to totally change your thoughts. Toss away such negative views as: "Oh, boo hoo, I don't want to quit sweets!" Instead, dwell on positive ideas like this: "Wow, I'll feel so great by kicking quickie carbs." Now fill your mind with pleasant, powerful images. Visualize yourself easily turning down low-quality carbs and becoming a happier, healthier, sweeter you. See yourself in charge instead of enslaved.
2. Plan a pity party. I know this might sound counter-productive, but I'm convinced that before you cut out low-quality carbs, allotting a specific, short amount of time ? say, a week ? to feeling sorry for yourself can work wonders. But then get over it and get on with it!
3. Watch yourself like a lab rat. Begin to face your truth by keeping a food journal. Jot down what drives you to simple carbs, when you clamor for them, where you eat them, why you want them, and how you get them (i.e., do you stealthily drive across town in the middle of night to buy a carton of ice cream because you need it?) Journaling can be potent preparation for stomping out your sugar habit!
4. Power up with PFF. By this I mean, pump up the protein (such as fish, chicken, tofu, legumes and lean meats), fill up with fiber (vegetables, fruits and whole grains), and embrace healthy fats (olive oil, flax seeds, avocado, etc.) ? consuming them all in moderation, of course. These three dietary changes alone can help moderate your blood sugar levels, take the edge off your appetite, keep you feel satisfied longer, and provide needed nourishment.
5. Relish the goodies provided by Mother Nature. Learn to savor the flavor of fresh, natural, wholesome, colorful, nutritious, preferably organic vegetables and low-sugar fruits. Next time you yearn for something sweet, enjoy a few tasty cherry tomatoes, a chunk of red pepper, or several fresh strawberries. Yum! (Nibble on some protein at the same time to keep your blood sugar stable.)
6. Begin with breakfast. Always start your day with a healthy meal ? you know, something like a veggie-filled omelet with a piece of orange or a small bowl of slow-cooking oatmeal. Many research studies show that breakfast eaters concentrate and perform better. If you skip that vital first meal of the day, you're setting yourself up for overwhelming sugar cravings. (Many nutritionists and physicians I interviewed often emphasized the benefits of breakfast.)
7. Develop a kick-butt attitude. Abandon that woe-is-me stance! Tap into your inner strength instead. Even if you're furious with yourself for having eaten nutrient-poor foods for so long, use that anger to reinforce your "I-can-do-it" attitude. Because you can! Now go for it and trust in your ability to succeed. Believe me, you can "Enjoy a Sweeter Life Without Refined Sweets.?"
Connie Bennett is an experienced journalist and an expert/coach to help you kick your sugar habit. She is author of the book SUGAR SHOCK! (upcoming), for which she interviewed more than 250 recognized physicians, nutritionists, researchers and health advocates. Visit and speak out at her lively, provocative sugarshockblog.com. Make sure to get your free report, "Sly Hidden Sugars," and your free e-zine at sugarshockblog.com
You may reproduce or distribute this article online, provided that you include the following: Copyright ? 2005, All Rights Reserved, Connie Bennett, Stop SUGAR SHOCK!(TM), A Sweeter You, LLC.
Also, when this article's published elsewhere, please notify Connie by e-mailing sugarshockblog.com.
recurring maid service Buffalo Grove ..Things get so confusing when it comes to understanding what... Read More
It can happen with one bite. The moment those refined... Read More
In the old West tricksters sold a snake oil to... Read More
Diners have become more health-conscious the last few years, and... Read More
"Unless that apple tastes like the best apple you've ever... Read More
There are tons of fad diets and weight loss schemes... Read More
My last article, Make Diets Work, concluded that dieting the... Read More
I know how difficult it can be do stick to... Read More
It seems everyone is looking for that magic bullet -... Read More
I was so embarrassed for her. After a grueling 45... Read More
Most Americans do not get enough calcium in their diets;... Read More
As parents who've had gastric bypass we face many challenges... Read More
As the holidays approach, a frequent question from my clients... Read More
For years the experts have been telling us that diets... Read More
The best way you can get rid of your pop... Read More
First off, let me start by saying this list is... Read More
Lets face it, most of us live pretty busy lives... Read More
Some (not so) Silly Diet Tips and Why They're NotAt... Read More
Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More
Your Can Turn Fat into Muscle......Fact or Fiction???Completely False!!!!First of... Read More
This little known secret has been used by bodybuilders for... Read More
ATTITUDESIT'S NOT ABOUT YOU!Exercising has so many physical benefits that... Read More
Only if you're trying to fool the scale on a... Read More
Food manufacturers can easily manipulate a whole population by the... Read More
First of all we need to find out a reason... Read More
premium house cleaning Glenview ..Are you considering a low carb diet? If so you... Read More
Have a conversation about gastric bypass surgery with just about... Read More
Lean turkeyLean ground beefChicken breastFish, halibut, orange roughy,More fish, shark,... Read More
Low self-esteem produces a game of control. It causes a... Read More
To see the "low carb" diets on the way out... Read More
Considering the US Center for Disease Control's advice is a... Read More
According to the BMI chart, if you are overweight, you... Read More
The holidays are definitely a special time of year. These... Read More
Think for a moment about the highest mountain you ever... Read More
No doubt about it, when we feel stressed we want... Read More
In life, various factors contribute to weight gain. Be it... Read More
Diet pills have met with many different fates, and come... Read More
Life is great, isn't it? Stop and just look around... Read More
In the old West tricksters sold a snake oil to... Read More
Your brain has this really interesting system that is kind... Read More
Students today are faced with the serious reality of unwanted... Read More
When it comes to the matter of weight loss, peoples... Read More
A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now... Read More
Your brain has this really interesting system that is kind... Read More
Abdominal liposuction refers to liposuction, or lipoplasty, that is performed... Read More
Weight Loss ? Basic Lessons for Sustained SuccessWeight loss is... Read More
Have you ever wondered where destiny would lead you? Have... Read More
When you truly consider the weight-loss process, the battle waged... Read More
The act of taking the first step is what separates... Read More
Ever wonder if you have a serious problem with binge... Read More
Weight Loss |