Getting Off Sugar

I do NOT mean that you should never have your favorite treats again. But sugar is definitely an addictive substance. The more you eat, the more you want. The less you eat, the less you want. To me, I don't want ANY substance running me! Period.

For some people, this may mean that you go into "abstinence," but most people do not have to be that extreme. There are ways to cut down, and make it easier. I am definitely into making it "easy" on yourself. White knuckling it never works.

Here are 5 strategies to cut back:

1. Avoid sugar substitutes, like Aspartame. They have been shown to be toxic and actually make you crave sweets more. I've had far fewer cravings since I stopped drinking diet soda.

2. Use supplements if you find them useful. Experiment! Sometimes the differences are very subtle, so you need to pay attention. Supplements like Chromium, and/or the combination of Chromium and L-Glutamine can be quite helpful. Ask for recommendations at your health food store.

3. Use EFT to reduce cravings for sweets, and identify the emotions, associations and stressful situations that trigger the cravings. 

4. Get more rest. Take 20 minutes to listen to my Relaxation CD DAILY to rest and recharge your energy during the day. Fatigue is one of the biggest triggers to overeating and sugar cravings.

5. Learn how to pro-actively *treat* yourself without sugar. It's obvious from my last post on *treating* yourself without sugar, that we need a LOT more help with this issue. I think 1 answer is to build *treats* into our schedules on a regular basis. Schedule massages. Take time out to listen to a CD. Walk outside. Play with your kids or pets. Go to yoga class. It will reduce your overall stress level, so you don't need to *treat* yourself with food so often.

Comments

[Stela]

You are right. When I am tired or stressed is when I look for something sweet. I take Sweet and Low with my coffee and I drink about 2-3 cups a day. I am trying to quit both and I am not being very successful. I do not drink soft drinks so that is not the issue with me. How do I quit the addiction to the sweetener! I think it is both the addictions to sweet and low and the coffee that are my issue! Any suggestions on how to start?

[Bed and Breakfast Granada]

I think the "Treats" and the "Daily Relaxation" tips are very important, Carol.

We all need treats in our lives in order not to feel deprived.

And making time for ourselves daily (by having a relaxation session) not only helps us to be stronger in ourselves, but in itself, is another step in us taking control of our lives.

But the five tips in total provide a do-able way to cut down on the white stuff....

[Harmony]

Great tips!

I don't use artificial sweeteners, but I do use stevia, which is a plant extract that's not supposed to affect blood sugar. Does anyone know if stevia increases sugar cravings?

[Cathy]

I've used Stevia too and for some reason got away from it. I need to get back on the wagon with that one. My only weakness is diet soda, but I might just make that switch to tea and use the stevia as the sweetner. I've been reducing sugar and feeling great lately.
Cathy

[Susana]

When I am walking for the street and suddenly I see a pastry shop my first impulse is to go into and buy a donut, automatically, thanks to EFT, an internal voice starts asking me, indeed do you want to feel full and flood? Indeed do you want to have a dinner without hunger? Indeed do you want to feel badly for eating saturated fats and sugar? The most of times I pass from length.
It's worse when I am at home that all this internal dialog does not happen.

[Curlcutter]

Stevia has worked wonders for me, too! I have been told by diet doctor the same thing about not effecting blood sugar levels which can cause more cravings. I put it in most everything but haven't had too much sucess in baking.
One "trick" I use for dessert is to try to make it myself (rather than processed,frozen,etc.)for control and be sure there is only enough for serving at that meal--No leftovers for me the next day!I am usually serving 2 young men and a not so young one, so they get most of it and I give myself just a true portion or less. They don't notice and everyone is happy. Sometimes I make myself a slightly altered less sugar version as well.

[Rachel]

Sugar Cravings. They are so difficult to handle. If you do use EFT, it's probably not enough to just tap for sugar, and addictions to sugar, and allergies to sugar. Make sure you also address all emotional aspects and associations you may have to sugar, eg how you used it at a very young age, who gave it to you, how you felt at the time.

Besides for emotional connections, many of us have a yeast problem, making us crave sugar yet have low energy. The most effective cure to this I found was Grapefruit Seed Extract, in capsule form, one tablet three times a day. You may feel worse on Days 2 and 3, utterly depressed, so be prepared to stay in bed and drink a ton of water to wash all those toxins out of your system. Keep taking for about three weeks, then only occasionally. I invented this regime, it works for me - I don't know if it will work for you (let me know, I'm interested.) With yeast gone, it is much much easier to get off your sugar cravings.

Besides for emotional associations, and yeast problems, sometimes sugar cravings are triggered by an unsatisfactory lifestyle. If this is the case for you, the solution is not to try to change your unhappy lifestyle! Perhaps the problem is that you believe that there are only two choices 1) keep the unhappy lifestyle, or 2) leave completely. Because perhaps one doesn't prefer either choice, perhaps one eats to stuff the unhappiness. But really, the choices are not so limited. Perhaps one can try using EFT to explore further options. Gradual options. Ask professionals for advice.

It seems that very often, eating problems mirror life problems. Which is kind of useful, it helps us to grow!

[Laura]

I just recently started taking weekly group Turkish Drum lessons. This is lots of fun and gets my energy up.

[Patricia]

Rachel - I began taking the Grapefruit Seed Extract like you and oh my gosh you were right! Today is day 3 & I feel very depressed I even started balling on the way in to work. I do wish I had stayed home in bed but I am trying my best to stick it out. I hope this works for me too!

[Rachel]

To Patricia, and everyone else who tries the Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)thingy, sorry I didn't say the following advice sooner:

DRINK A TON!!!

I've read, regarding taking nystatin for yeast infections, that if you feel completely depressed, TAKE MORE nystatin. Well, this post is about taking GSE, not nystatin, and I'm not a doctor, so I couldn't tell you to take more GSE than it says on the bottle (3 tablets a day, or 12 drops three times a day), because I don't know what side effects that may have. But I can say that you should be very religious about taking at least these three a day. Now is not the time to get faint hearted!!! (unless you choose to give it up and possibly try again another time). And drink a ton! You'll feel much better very fast.

And another thing. I assume it is dying yeast and released toxins as they die, that is causing the depression. GSE however could also be working against other parasites, or microbes, and I've even heard it recommended against pinworms (you might have to be very religious for about a month to have a complete effect, plus treat other family members to not get reinfected. One child I know became worm free in only about four doses). So I don't know what's causing the depression, perhaps it's the released toxins, or an inner dislike of removing parasites or whatever psychological reason it may be - or just incredible weakness. Why did I say all this? Oh yes, I remember. Because SUGAR feeds the dying yeast and prolongs the dying process. So, as much as you can, at least for the first three days, have some non-sugary snacks on hand. Even wheat and other carbs can feed them, so I recommend (non medically of course, I have no qualifications, nor do I accept any responsibility for you using these recommendations) that you eat as much protein and vegetables as possible to tide over the hunger and keep you healthy, until you get back in balance. Hopefully it won't be more than a few days. Keep us posted!