By now most of us are aware of the negative effects that sugar can have on our systems. Even with all the information out there, many people still find it very difficult to kick the sugar habit once and for all. Why? Because sugar is addictive, there’s no question. Even if you’ve made the conscious decision to stop eating sweets, and stop adding sugar to your coffee or tea, there are so many hidden sugars in processed foods that you can still be ingesting way more sugar than you intend to. However, it IS possible to kick the habit once and for all! A way to help this may be a sugar detox. Below are some steps that may help:

1. Decide to Detox – This might seem like a no-brainer, but consciously making the decision or saying this decision out loud can increase your chances of success.
2. Cold Turkey – There’s no magical way to just wean yourself off junk…. You have to just cut the cord and grin and bear it! Don’t eat any sugar, flour products, artificial sweeteners, trans or hydrogenated fats, or MSG. Ideally, during the detox don’t’ eat anything that comes in a box, package, can or has a label. Stick to real, whole, fresh food.
3. Eat your calories – Any type of beverage that has added sweetener, whether real or artificial, is doing more harm than good. Cut out all sodas, juices (other than green vegetable juice), sports drinks, and sweetened teas or coffees.
4. Protein leads the way – Eat protein at every single meal, especially breakfast, to help balance blood sugar and fight the cravings. Eat nuts, seeds, eggs, fish, chicken or grass-fed meat at every meal. One serving size is the size of your palm.
5. Eat the right carbs – Eat unlimited carbs…. Yes really! The trick is to pick the right ones. Eat as much non-starchy veggies such as greens, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collards, asparagus, green beans, mushrooms, onions, zucchini, tomatoes, fennel, eggplant, artichokes and peppers to name a few. Avoid potatoes, sweet potatoes (no, you’re really not getting any benefits by eating sweet potato fries!), winter squash and beets – just for 10 days. Also skip grains and beans for 10 days.
6. Eat fat – I know, I know…. Not what you’d expect. However, fat doesn’t make you fat; sugar does. (And incidentally, all those “Fat free” items you purchase at the store? They just have increased sugars so you really aren’t doing your body any favours). Along with protein, consume the good fats every meal too… nuts and seeds, extra virgin olive oil, coconut butter, avocados, and omega-3 from fish.
7. Keep an emergency kit – Yes, I’m talking about a snack emergency kit. It is inevitable that a craving will hit, and if you aren’t prepared you WILL eat something you shouldn’t. Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, turkey jerky, sardines, and berries to name a few will help!
8. De-stress – Being stressed makes you hungry due to increased cortisol (those stress eaters just aren’t making it up!) It also increases belly fat storage and can lead to type-2 diabetes. When you feel stress, and also before every meal, take five deep breaths…. Breathe in for five, breathe out for five… it does wonders to lower your stress levels.

10 days…. See if it makes a difference for you! Incidentally, once your 10 days are up, and you’re feeling an old pang from a lingering sweet tooth, give honey a try! Below are 10 health benefits of honey:

1. Improved digestion
2. Lessens muscle fatigue
3. Boosts energy
4. Helps in weight loss
5. Regulates blood sugar
6. Suppresses coughs
7. Helps heal cuts
8. Helps heal burns
9. Improves skin
10. Helps with insomnia

Image by fancycrave1 from Pixabay

Source Url: http://gobelmont.ca/sugar-sugar-no-honey-honey/