Sugar is everywhere you look and it might pop up in some surprising places. Did
you know that most whole grain breads have at least one form of sugar in them?
We have a national sweet tooth epidemic. Even if you don鈥檛 eat a lot of sugary
treats you may experience intense sugar cravings in the first few weeks of the
Atkins diet. So many healthy carbohydrate foods have hidden sugars in them, your
body may be experiencing withdrawal.
The problem with sugar is that your
blood sugar is tied into your energy levels and your overall health. When your
blood sugar is too low, you will experience intense cravings. High blood sugar
is a result of eating high-sugar meals. When you eat concentrated sugar, your
blood sugar will raise to high levels. Your pancreas thinks there is something
wrong and then it secretes insulin to lower the blood sugar. As this happens
more, you can create pre-diabetic conditions in your body as your pancreas
becomes worn out and eventually cannot secrete insulin.
Fortunately,
getting started on the Atkins diet plan can put a stop to this cycle. However,
this doesn鈥檛 mean that sugar cravings go away automatically. Sugar products are
everywhere and temptation is sometimes hard to fight.
The best way to
approach sugar cravings is with planning. If you maintain a balance of protein,
fat and fiber in your daily diet you will prevent blood sugar drops that lead to
sugar cravings. Also, do not go too long between meals without eating. Snacks
are an important part of keeping your blood sugar stable. Have some handy snacks
like cheese, nuts, seeds and boiled eggs on hand with you so you can quickly
stabilize your blood sugar without turning to sweet treats.
Sugar
cravings can also be a sign of a nutritional deficiency. When you are low on
magnesium, you will crave chocolate and other sweets. Zinc and chromium can also
stave off sugar cravings. If you aren鈥檛 taking a good multivitamin supplement
with these minerals, start immediately. If you are and you are still
experiencing cravings, consider trying additional supplements of these
nutrients.
Another tactic is to brush your teeth. Many Atkins dieters
find that brushing their teeth or using Listerine breath strips can help with
cravings. Both methods will numb your mouth and prevent you from wanting to eat.
Drinking two large glasses of water can also help eliminate cravings. If your
stomach is full, then you鈥檒l be less likely to reach for a sugary
treat.
Sometimes out of sight, out of mind is the best approach. If you
find yourself overcome with cravings while you are at home, get outside and take
a walk. The distraction will have you forgetting your sugar craving in no time.
Calling a friend for support or logging into an Atkins support forum can also go
a long way toward preventing you from succumbing to sugar
cravings.
Having a low-carb version of your favorite treat is another
good idea. You are less likely to feel deprived if you can have a satisfying low
carb treat. There are a wide variety of low-carb products available on the
market that can beat your sweet tooth. Low-carb yogurt, chocolate, ice cream and
candy can all help you stay on the Atkins plan and still get something sweet to
eat.
Sugar cravings are a reality of following the Atkins plan, but the
previous tips will help you overcome them and stay committed to your weight loss
efforts.
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