How to conquer my sweet tooth by AMGL

"Once it clicks, its easy!"

How I did it: I have been completely sugar clean for three months now. Most of how (and why) I conquered my sweet tooth is covered in my entry "Eat Better," so if you are interested, be sure to check it out. Basically, I feel that, to really make the commitment to cut sugar (or any substance out of your life), you need to examine holistically what makes you go for it in the first place. Addictions are really the symptom of a larger, underlying problem--sugar addiction is not an exception. 

Lessons & tips: What helped me? Once I made the decision to cut sugar, I went completely cold turkey. That's it--completely cut it out. I don't think gradually doing it works, at least, not for me. I see-sawed doing this for three years, going from healthy to non-healthy eating back and forth the whole time. If you have this pattern of behavior, it usually means you have not solved the underlying problem which makes you go for sugar in the first place. Again, in order to really cut sugar out, you need to identify what it is that makes you go for it in the first place.

That said--I still eat natural sweeteners, although I went without any sweets during my first month. Natural sweeteners include agave nectar (love it), brown rice syrup, and date pulp. I love baked goods, and I have the blessing of having a creative mother who loves to make them. She has been able to make cookies, cupcakes, cake and brownies using no sugar, no milk, and no flour--and they taste really good. It's all a part of exploring new things that replace the old food you couldn't live without. 

Resources: These are same resources I list in my "Eat Better" entry--but one thing that helped me conquer my sweet tooth easily? Lara Bars! www.larabar.comPerhaps the strongest resource that made my jumpstart my healthy eating was Laughing Sage Wellness, an organization that advocates healing women's gynecological/metabolic diseases through completely natural methods--starting with foods! I have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), an underlying condition, and LSW really was key for me to look at my health holistically and to see how food fits in the equation. If you are interested, you should know they provide free consultations! Check out the "Begin your healing journey" on their website is: www.laughingsagewellness.com

The resources that helped me most were books such as "The Great American Detox Diet" by Alex Jameson (girlfriend of Morgan Spurlock, the director of "Super Size Me"), and "Healing with Whole Foods: Oriental Tradition and Modern Nutrition" by Paul Pitchford. There is a whole array of books on the subject of healthy eating--personally, I would stay away from any book that has a "fad diet" title, and go for serious books on nutrition and healthy eating practices (vegetarianism, macrobiotic, raw, etc). Also, be sure to check out Mike Adams "The Health Ranger" website, for an incredible website for an inspiring story on healthy eating, as well as many other resources and tips to have better health: www.healthranger.org



1 person found this helpful
 

Oct 31, 2008, 12:31PM PDT | 1 comment | 3 cheers


Comments:

bp says, "Roll Tide".

This was very informative AMGL. I am so glad you posted it and congrats on this lifestyle change. It sounds like you are enjoying it and are feeling healthier for it.

Dec 29, 2008, 01:29PM PST | Respond to this 1 cheer


AMGL has gotten 3 cheers on this entry.

 

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