Tips to Avoid Sugar in the New Year

Even though sugar isn't good for you, it sure tastes good. Many people struggle to control their cravings for sweets. If you belong to this group, you don't imagine your sugar craving. You crave sugar because it releases feel-good hormones into your brain when you eat it, making it very difficult to change your diet for better health and wellness. Get on the right track with our nutrition tips to avoid sugar.

Sugar Addiction: Is It Possible?

Sugar is not technically addictive from a medical perspective. However, sugar stimulates the reward center in the brain in the same manner as substances become addictive to people. As a result, if you cut back on your sugar intake, you are likely to experience sugar cravings for at least a couple of weeks. However, it will only last for a short period of time. Then your body will adjust to not having the sugar it was getting previously, effectively, increasing your overall health and wellness.

Tips to Avoid Sugar

For those who have tried to cut back on sugar but failed, here are some realistic nutrition tips that can help you stay sane while reducing excess sugar in your diet:

• Moderation is key - Instead of cutting sugar out of your diet completely, keep tight control over it. If you can balance sugar as part of a healthy diet, you don't have to eliminate it.
• Eat more frequently - Many people crave sugar when they skip meals. Be sure to eat three main meals per day and a variety of healthy, filling snacks, so you do not go hungry and choose less healthy options.
• Eat more protein - Increasing the amount of protein in your diet may reduce the urge to consume sugar. Protein will help make you feel full and leave less space for empty carbs like sugar.
• Reduce sugar intake gradually - Consider gradually reducing sugar in your diet rather than eliminating it all at once. This way, you won't binge on sugar when a craving hits.
• Identify hidden sources - The most dangerous kind of sugar in your diet is the hidden sugar you don't even realize is there. Before eating food, check the nutrition label for added sugars.

You should control the amount of sugar you consume to benefit your overall health and wellness, and one way to do that is by controlling your cravings! If you need more assistance avoiding sugar, talk to your chiropractor at Williamsburg Chiropractic for more nutrition tips. Click here to schedule an appointment today.