Scared to Ditch Desserts? 3 Reasons by Joan Kent, PhD
I see it often: people who know they eat too much sugar but don’t want to quit.
Here are 3 reasons people seem afraid to eliminate sugary foods from their diets.
Fear #1: Not having a “sugar crutch” when you need it
When the going gets tough, the stressed grab cookies. If you haven’t figured out a different stress management strategy, sugar may seem like the only way you can relieve the stress you’re facing.
What to Do Instead
Here’s one simple option for stress relief.
Breathe. Most people recommend slow, deep breathing. It’s helpful. But my own experience – and other accounts – have shown that deep breathing won’t always work. In fact, when we’re super-stressed, it can be difficult to take slow, deep breaths.
I suggest short, sharp exhalations. Breathe out forcefully enough to make noise. (If you’re someplace where you can’t make noise, just breathe out quickly and with power.)
Do 3 sharp exhalations. Stop for a moment and feel the tingles in your body. Do another set of 3. Stop again and feel your body. Do a third set of 3.
By the time you’ve done that, you’ll notice lots of tingling and a significant change in how you feel. From there, you can slow your breathing to a relaxed rate. If you want to follow with a short meditation, controlling your breathing this way will make it work even better.
Fear #2: Going nuts without sugar
Some people are quite aware of what happens to them when they don’t eat their usual sugary treats. That’s what they worry about when someone suggests they quit sugar.
You may have experienced those withdrawal symptoms; they’re kinda predictable. You might feel edgy and restless. Or irritable, impatient, unable to concentrate. You may have cravings for the foods you’re trying to quit. Or start obsessing about them. You might keep walking back and forth to the break room or the kitchen.
What to Do Instead
Short-term relief can be simple: take a teaspoon of liquid B-complex (the full B-complex, not just B-12). Check with your doctor before you try this to be sure it’s okay for you to take B vitamins.
Liquid B-complex is highly effective. It will eliminate cravings and other withdrawal symptoms within minutes and typically prevent their return for up to 24 hours.
B vitamins are water-soluble, so you’ll excrete any excess in urine. This is a short-term strategy. Eliminating cravings long-term may require food changes.
Fear #3: Never again enjoying food
It’s rough to give up foods we love. It may seem as if nothing will ever take their place. And the foods we use to handle stress, to celebrate, or for comfort and relaxation usually change brain chemistry in a big way.
Any food that changes brain chemistry can promote a strong reaction when we think about ditching it. Let’s call that reaction “emotional attachment.” Anyone who knows the power those foods have over them knows that the attachment can be quite emotional.
What to Do Instead
Eat healthful fats — nuts, avocados, raw coconut. Choose savory seasonings. Use more salt (sea salt) for a while. If you’re concerned about hypertension, note that sugar (and the insulin it triggers) can raise blood pressure more than salt. And you won’t have to use extra salt forever, just till you get past sugar’s grip.
We don’t need sugar to enjoy eating. MANY non-sugary foods taste wonderful.
Great news: As you get away from sugar, foods you didn’t like before begin to taste good!
Vegetables are a perfect example. Every client of mine who hated vegetables was hooked on sugar big-time. And every one of them changed his/her opinion after quitting sugar.
Getting past cravings and junk food is the freedom I wish for you. Just visit LastResortNutrition and request your free Power Eating Consult. If you haven’t quit sugar because you don’t think you can – or fear that you’ll fail – believe me: it’s easy, it really works, and you can do it. You’ll feel great – and great about yourself!
Brought to you by Dr. Joan Kent, best-selling author of Stronger Than Sugar.
