The Sugar Detox

THE SUGAR DETOX

I know, I know, these two words don't sound very appealing when put together. But I promise, cutting back on the refined white stuff could do us all some good. Ditching some of the sugary foods we've grown accustomed to could have all kinds of health benefits.

I wished I were easy to kick sugar completely out of your life but it is not. The fact is that sugar is an addiction - as real as addictions to cigarettes, alcohol or even drugs. This means that you should be prepared for sometimes-intense cravings every time you try to stop sugar.

Let's begin.

Remove ALL TEMPTATIONS: Even the strongest addict wouldn't try to quit their addiction and then keep it within arm's reach. There are foods you can ignore with no problems but there are others that will actually call out your name - tempting you to eat them: get rid of these. While you can't do anything about the multitude of sugar temptations you walk or drive by every day, get rid of the ones within close reach: your fridge, your bedside table, your work desk, and yes, your car.

IDENTIFY your KILLER cravings: You probably have one, maybe more, go-to source of sugar. Whether it's hot chocolate, candy bars, bookies, Ben & Jerry Ice-Cream (that's my kryptonite)... be honest about what your killer cravings are get ready to bolster your willpower. Cravings WILL HAUNT you when you try to stay away from sugar. It's important to know what these foods actually are.

Eat FRUITS & NUTS: Fruits can often easily satisfy that sweet craving and most fruits don't increase your blood sugar that much. A handful of nuts will also do the same.

Take note of these BELLY-FLATTENING NUTS:

Sunflower Seeds - Packed with B vitamins, which play an important role in protection against inflammation. They are also an excellent source of Vitamin E. It's also great for curbing hunger.

Almonds - The MUFAs and vitamin E in almonds work together to cut cholesterol. Almonds are also a great source of vegetable protein and fiber.

Macadamia Nuts - Eating nuts and seeds can yield heart-health benefits. Macadamia nuts also contain fiber to hep with digestion and a small amount of trace mineral selenium, an antioxidant that some studies may help prevent cancer.

Pistachios - Pistachios contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids that help protect against age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. They may also help improve cholesterol levels.

DON'T STRESS too much about "added-sugar" in foods: Most of the foods we eat contain sugar and keeping them all of your diet can drive some people crazy. If you aren't ready to completely take all sugars out of our life, FOCUS of the most sugary of them like SODA, CAKE, CEREAL and other sugary snacks. The added sugars can be a problem but focusing on these foods will eliminate a large percentage of sugars in your diet.