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Sweet Relief

I'll get right to the sweet spot.

 

One of the biggest obstacles that gets in the way of a our wellness goals is excessive sugar intake. Across the board, this is our biggest issue, and one that is very difficult to rise above. Besides adding empty calories and adding fluff to our fat cells, sugar has more sinister and far-reaching effects.

 

Sugar creates chronic inflammation in our bodies, and inflammation not only leads to disease, but is a HUGE road block/barrier to our health goals. Whether or not we feel the typical symptoms, it’s likely that our bodies are battling it daily.   Chronic inflammation brings weight loss to a halt, creates brain fog, hormonal imbalances, pain, inability to sleep, depression, and fatigue. Sound familiar?

 

The first line of defense against this beast is reducing your sugar intake. Sugar is a hard habit to break. In truth, sugar is more addictive than cocaine and heroin, so ditching it takes effort.  It CAN be done, and we will do it ... we just have to start small. 

Here are 11 actions you can take - today! - that will help reduce your sugar cravings and create more stable blood sugar levels:

Image by Victoria Heath

Action #1

Identify Your Triggers

What is it that sends you sprinting to the pantry for a quick hit of "the white stuff?"  Without knowing what sets you off, you'll be fighting an endless battle.  Think about your pitfalls, and create a plan to overcome them.  Write out your action plan; tape it to doors and mirrors - seriously!  The struggle is real, but the solutions are here.

Image by Darion Queen

Action #3

Ditch The Soda

Sodas are just a no-brainer.  They are loaded with sugar and will catapult you to the never-ending blood sugar roller coaster.  This one is simple:  Get rid of it. That also goes for Coke Zero, which leads us to our next plan of action:

Varieties of Grain

Action #5

Fiber In Every Meal

Get plenty of fiber in each meal:  Fiber not only helps promote regularity by flushing things out of our bodies, it helps to slow down the absorption of sugar.  The result is that we stay fuller longer and don’t crave sugar as much or as often.

Image by Jen Theodore

Action #7

Don't Go Cold Turkey

Doing too much, too fast can cause a nasty backlash.  Start by adding more healthy fat, fiber, and protein into your overall diet.  Then, cut sugary portions in half by mixing them with non-sugary ones.  Try  mixing plain greek yogurt in with your usual yogurt. Doing so will make the blood sugar spike less dramatic, causing you to crave less sugar.

Image by Thought Catalog

Action #9

Don't Go Hungry

Don’t skip meals or eat too little calories.  Eat your 3 squares a day, each complete with greens, healthy fat, fiber, and protein.  When you give your body what it needs to do the work of living your amazing life, your cravings for sugar will decrease.  Nourish your fabulous self. 

Image by Jed Villejo

Action #11

Find A Wingman

Stay accountable to someone.  We are not meant to go it alone!  The love and support of our tribes are essential to making any positive new change stick.  Ask for help, find a friend to tag along on your journey.  You just might inspire them along the way.

Image by Ben Kolde

Action #2

Protein First

Eating protein for breakfast will help to create or maintain a more even blood sugar curve, so you will be less likely to crave sugar for your next snack or meal.

Image by Sharon McCutcheon

Action #4

Avoid Artifical Sweeteners

We wrongly assume that artificial sweeteners are a better choice because they have less (or zero) calories.  Please don’t buy into this!  Artificial sweeteners, besides being like poison to our bodies, actually cause our bodies to crave sugar.  Choose honey or stevia instead.  

Image by The Creative Exchange

Action #6

Read Your Labels

Read labels so you are aware of how much sugar is in each serving.  Sugar is sneaky and surprising.  Making yourself aware of what is in the foods you choose - or say no to - can go a long way towards forming new habits

Image by Jonathan Borba

Action #8

Break A Sweat

If we are addicted to sugar, there is an excess amount of insulin in our bodies, which makes us store fat and seek out even more sugar.  The fastest way to get rid of insulin?  Exercise!  Use your muscles!  They will gobble up that excess sugar and help you break a nice, detoxifying sweat, too.  Win-win!

Image by Brenda Godinez

Action #10

Mix It In

Add protein powder to pancake mixes.  Toss chia seeds and protein powder into your dessert pudding.  Add nuts and seeds into cookie batter, and reduce the sugar in the batter by 1/3.
 

Life by Lori Z Photo Kitchen Sriracha Me
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Kale chips, a splash of California sun and a Billboard hit are all part of the recipe of Lori Zabka’s life’s work. Founder of wellness company, “Life by Lori Z,” her full-time passion is helping other busy women find their own voices and live their healthiest lives.

Life by Lori Z Photo Kitchen Sriracha Me
  • Instagram
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Kale chips, a splash of California sun and a Billboard hit are all part of the recipe of Lori Zabka’s life’s work. Founder of wellness company, “Life by Lori Z,” her full-time passion is helping other busy women find their own voices and live their healthiest lives.

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