This is based on my personal experience. As someone who likes to “eat their emotions” sugar is what I’ve turned to whenever feeling stressed, bored, tired or just because. I have found these tips have worked for me and I hope they help you as well.
Why? The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting foods and drinks with added sugars, and cutting back is one of the simplest changes most of us can make.
1. Regular nutritious meals
Having regular, nutritious meals will help you to feel full and stop cravings due to fluctuations in blood sugar. This can look like 3 meals a day and 2 snacks in between. As an example- what I will normally eat is Oats for breakfast, vegetables and hummus on bread for lunch and dal/kichari for dinner. In between I’ll usually eat some nuts and dates or a piece of fruit. By eating regularly you prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes which can cause sugar cravings.
2. Reducing stress levels
When stressed or overworked, the natural response is to uncontrollably reach for sugar. I have found that by keeping stress levels and energy levels above a certain line (i.e. not pushing to the point of stress and exhaustion you can prevent this uncontrollable urge). When in this state though of fatigue, overwhelm and intense stress, I personally believe it is impossible to stop reaching for sugar.
3. Alternatives
Having some sugar alternatives on hand available when you do feel like you want something sweet. I’ll always keep these with me when I’m at work or out and about. My go-to’s are dates and nuts or a piece of fruit. If you are cooking with sugar- having alternative sweeteners in the house- maple syrup, coconut sugar, jaggery (rapadura unrefined sugar), molasses, stevia are great options as well over refined sugar for cooking. I also like to get bars from woolies that have a bit of a sugar but are generally ‘better’- Kujo chocolate chip bars are fantastic. They are in the health food aisle.
4. Chuck it out of the house
I made the rule that I won’t keep any sugary processed foods in the house which has helped immensely. Now whenever I want something sweet I have to go out and get it. It has created friction which means that I must pay more for something sweet and If I do want a sugar hit- I’ll just go to woollies and get something like Pana chocolate which is expensive, or an oat and chocolate bar or a fruit juice.
5. Allow a treat once a week
Give yourself permission to eat something sweet once a week- baklava, pancakes, cookies whatever it is.
Moderation in everything, including moderation.
6. If blood sugar is a concern, see your GP
If you have, or think you may have, a condition that affects your blood sugar, such as diabetes, speak to your GP first. They can test for it, diagnose it and manage it. Any naturopathic or acupuncture care should only ever sit alongside your doctor’s advice, never replace it.
I hope this helps you in reducing sugar, improving your health and the health of those around you. Wishing you all the best. Ahil
Any questions or to book in, feel free to contact Ahil at the Alexandria clinic on (02) 9341 5775 or by email at ahilnaturopath@gmail.com.
Ahil Naturopath/Acupuncture is a clinic located near Redfern, Alexandria and Waterloo. We also service areas across Sydney including Botany, Camperdown, Darlinghurst, Erskineville, Eveleigh, Mascot, Newtown, Rosebery, Surry Hills and Zetland.
We offer Acupuncture, Naturopathy, Herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Cupping, Gua Sha (Scraping) and Moxibustion services in South-East, Eastern and Inner City of Sydney.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for individual advice from a qualified health practitioner. If you have a health concern, please see your GP or book a consultation.