For adults who crave candy and ice cream almost as much as their children, the bad news on sugar continues to pour in. Earlier this year, research into sugar’s deleterious effects showed a connection to cancer, heart disease and diabetes. More recently, the American Dental Association reminded everyone just how bad sugar is for their teeth.
“We think we’re so advanced in 2016, yet when it comes to health and a nutritious diet, many of us have a long way to go,” says nutritionist and juicing pioneer Cherie Calbom, who is known as “The Juice Lady”.
The good news is people can ferret out the sugar-laden products that may be hidden in their diets, and dedicate themselves to a healthy, sugar-free lifestyle, says Calbom, author of The Juice Lady’s Sugar Knockout.
She offers her Sugar Addiction Quiz at www.juiceladycherie.com/Juice/the-sugar-knockout.
Below is Calbom’s solution: a 10-step detox plan that anyone can work on for themselves and with their family to eliminate sugar in everyone’s diets.
1. Avoid all sugar. If you can do it for 30 days, you can change your lifestyle. During this time, avoid even healthy sweeteners like honey, and substitutes, which overwhelm the taste buds.
2. Cut caffeine intake. There are multiple benefits to cutting back on your caffeine, including the temptation to use sugary creamers and accompanying sweets along with actually causing sugar cravings.
3. Skip foods that turn to sugar easily. This includes wheat and other grains, alcohol and starchy foods like white potatoes.
4. Enjoy healthy smoothies. Healthy smoothies that include dark leafy greens like kale or chard make you feel good in the long term and can help eliminate the urge for sugary snacks and excessive caffeine.
5. Power up with protein. Eggs, nuts, fish and other meats balance blood sugar and insulin.
6. Eat your veggies. Non-starchy vegetables provide your body with much-needed vitamins that also will cut your urge for unhealthy, sugary snacks.
7. Drink eight glasses of water a day. Sufficient pure water keeps you hydrated, reduces headaches and constipation, and flushes out toxins.
8. Supplement your diet. GTF chromium, L-Glutamine, B vitamins, Zinc, Magnesium and Vitamin C assist your body in various ways to overcome sugar cravings.
9. Sleep well; sleep enough. Lack of sleep messes with your hormonal balance and contribute to feelings of hunger.
10. Fight sugar cravings with fat. Healthy fats like avocados and fish make you feel full and satisfied.
“Beware of sugar in places you might not have expected, like tomato sauces, salad dressing and marinades,” Calbom says. “Make a habit of studying labels.”