\nBut it\u2019s possible. And if you want to enjoy your good health, you should quit now.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how to break up with sugar, once and for all.<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0Know thy enemy<\/strong><\/p>\n Learn to identify the different forms of sugar. Corn syrup, fructose, dextrose, maltodextrin are just some examples of sugars. These are added to foods (including salad dressings and marinades) to sweeten them. So start reading food labels and learn to spot them, so you can learn which foods to avoid. You want to try and pick the foods that have very little to no sugar in them. Of course, first prize are whole foods (vegetables, lean proteins, fruit and whole dairy products). These don\u2019t have added sugars \u2013 just the sugars nature made them with.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0Choose healthy alternatives<\/strong><\/p>\n Try to cut back on your sugar consumption by looking for alternatives. You could try stevia, xylitol or agave nectar. You could also try using spices, like cinnamon, to add flavour that \u201cpretends\u201d to be sweet.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0Be prepared for the hunger<\/strong><\/p>\n When you\u2019re hungry, you\u2019re far more likely to reach for a sugary snack. So it\u2019s a good idea to pack yourself healthy, sugar-free snacks each morning, and keep them nearby. That way, if you do find your tummy growling between meals, you can nibble responsibly. Try making yourself a snack mix of nuts and seeds (good fats, fibre and nutrients). Just be wary of adding too much dried fruit \u2013 it carries a lot of sugar.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0Say hello to healthy fats (and good bye to \u201cfat-free\u201d)<\/strong><\/p>\n Fat-free products (and even low fat products) sound like they\u2019re the healthy option. But if you\u2019re trying to kick your sugar habit then you need to make sure that your meals are truly filling and sustaining. And that means full-fat options are better for you since they do keep you feeling fuller for longer. Of course, you must ensure you\u2019re getting the healthy fats (think avo, olive oil, oily fish<\/a>).<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0Find healthy mood elevators<\/strong><\/p>\n When sugar hits your blood stream, one of the things it does is hit the pleasure and reward centres of your brain. That\u2019s why you feel so good after eating a slice of cake or drinking a sugary soft drink. When you\u2019re quitting sugar, your body is going to crave this \u201chigh\u201d. So get it from healthy alternatives. Consider including a whey protein shake in your daily diet since whey protein has been found to increase your serotonin levels naturally (serotonin is a happy hormone). Coconut is another natural mood booster (with a whole lot of other health benefits too!).<\/p>\n 6.\u00a0Get enough sleep<\/strong><\/p>\n When you\u2019re tired and sleep deprived, you are hard-wired to seek out sugary foods, because they give you a burst of energy. So make sure you\u2019re getting enough sleep each night.<\/p>\n If nutrition and wellness are your life\u2019s passion, consider signing up for a Specialised Nutrition Certification<\/a> at Trifocus Fitness Academy. With it, you\u2019ll be able to make a career out of your nutrition know-how and help others find the same road to wellness. Click here <\/a>to find out more.<\/p>\n![\"Consider](\"https:\/\/trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/bcF_ElzUWEHxcCm-1uQpWRPndC9U2HjFiR2Xjxl3mVk1-300x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n