How to beat the "Sugar Blues!"

Are you one of those people that crash at 2pm? Do you crave that sugar rush? If so, you are not alone. The majority of Americans has a definite addiction to sugar!

It’s no surprise that the standard diet includes (I hope you are sitting down) 156 POUNDS of added sugar a year! That does not include what we eat from fruits and veggies! ACK! That’s about 31- 5 pound bags of the sweet stuff.

When we crave sugar it is almost always due to the fact that we are out of balance either with our diets-a Yin/Yang imbalance, we are dehydrated or our lifestyle is out of whack –something I like to call our “primary foods”.  Below you will find common reasons for sweet cravings and thoughts on how to become more balanced.

• Yin/Yang Imbalance - yin foods elevate mood by increasing your serotonin level quickly followed by a drop, causing a crash.  Yin foods are thought of as light and expansive.  Sugar, starches, and fruits are all examples of yin foods.  Yang food examples include eggs, salt, and red meat. Lean towards an equal balance of these foods in your diet. Also the incorporation of more naturally sweet foods, especially vegetables, will help balance out the need for added sugars.
• Dehydration – We are a chronically dehydrated society. With the explosion of sugary drinks on the market, I suggest you try to refrain from them as much as possible. When our bodies are dehydrated our kidneys notice a drop in blood volume sending a message to the brain to increase blood pressure, but until we are feeling thirsty, this message feels to us like mild hunger.  It is suggested when you feel a sugar craving, to first drink a glass of water and then assess your hunger. 
• Lifestyle - we look at the areas known as “Primary Foods” which include career, physical activity, spirituality, and relationship.  Primary foods are areas in your life outside of food.  When we are bored, underutilized, or over worked and over whelmed, it puts our bodies out of balance.  We often use food to fill the void or to make us feel better in overwhelming situations.  Being bored can trigger cravings.  Before eating that sugary snack ask yourself, “What am I really hungry for?” or “Will this food give me the nourishment I need?”  Keep your primary foods in mind, maybe you just need a hug, or to get outside and go for a walk, even meditating can help with cravings.

Here is a summary of some easy tips to help you work through those “Sugar Blues:”

• Eat a balanced diet rich in whole grains, proteins, fruits and vegetables
• Incorporate sweet vegetables-squashes, beets, etc. are all great healthy ways to have sugar in your diet.
• Find balance – avoid Yin/Yang imbalances
• Ask yourself “What am I really hungry for?”
• Drink more water!

I am offering a free workshop in Oakmont on April 10^th called “Beating the Sugar Blues.” Click here to sign up!

For more tips or a personal plan, please visit my website www.christianne-mccall.com where you can sign up for a free consultation. I can help support you make some simple dietary changes and move forward to a healthy lifestyle.