{"id":410,"date":"2013-07-25T05:00:04","date_gmt":"2013-07-25T09:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wellnesswithangela.com\/stopsugarcravings\/?p=410"},"modified":"2022-08-25T22:24:53","modified_gmt":"2022-08-26T03:24:53","slug":"sugar-addictive-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/angelaminelli.com\/blog\/sugar-addictive-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Sugar Is So Addictive and What You Can Do About It"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\t\"sugarEver wonder how to stop sugar cravings without giving up sweet?\n<\/p>\n

\n\tMany people’s lives spin out of control just by eating a few bites of refined sugar, a.k.a. sucrose, which leads to binge eating, food frenzies and even addiction.  But here are a few facts about sugar that just might make a difference when it comes to quitting sugar altogether.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tFirst, sugar is the ultimate empty calorie.  Due to the refining process, <\/strong>it's stripped of essential fiber and nutrients, and in order for your body to process it, it has to draw on its own reserves of vitamins and minerals to break it down.  So, if you are constantly filling yourself up with empty calories, you might feel full physically for a short while but nutritionally and emotionally you’ll feel empty.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tNot only does sugar rob your body of nutrients, it also robs you of self-dignity, self-respect, and self-control.  People cringe when their cravings for sugar overwhelm them and they wind up feeling guilty and ashamed when they give in.  But one important factor to consider when it comes to sugar that food advertisers fail to tell you is that sugar is actually a drug.<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tSugar is classified as a drug for two reasons:\n<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    \n\t\t\tWhen you eat it, you crave more;\n\t\t<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    \n\t\t\tWhen you withdraw from it, you go through withdrawal symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, moodiness, and <\/strong>more cravings!<\/em>\n\t\t<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \n\tHmm… you think M&M's Mars knows that?  You bet!\n<\/p>\n

    \n\tIt's no mistake that sugar dominates the food supply.  It's even been proven to be more addictive than heroin or cocaine.  Eureka!  In addition, sugar makes you fat and is the<\/em> <\/b>leading cause of weight gain<\/strong><\/em> and obesity, not to mention the fact that the overconsumption of sugar has led to the explosion of hypoglycemia and diabetes we see in society today. \n<\/p>\n

    \n\tSugar addiction is impacted by a variety of influences, one being emotional eating.  An inability to properly manage emotions under stress will lead to dysfunctional eating behaviors such as overeating, binge eating, stress eating, and compulsive eating, and often leaves you feeling inadequate and weak.  \n<\/p>\n

    \n\tAnd yet, [bctt tweet=”there’s not enough willpower in the world to curb a full-on binge when your body demands it.”]\n<\/p>\n

    \n\tWhen your body demands energy, as in when your blood sugar drops too low, about the only "quick fix" that will work is sugar, therefore sugar is not really the problem but instead the solution.  Since sugar is absorbed quickly in your mouth, your body is smart enough to know to produce a craving to get it in you pronto to prevent you from passing out.  \n<\/p>\n

    \n\tHowever, the strong key factor with sugar cravings is determining where you're deficient in life – emotionally or physically, or both – and working backwards to fill the void(s). A physical deficiency is obvious, but not all are, as in your job is killing you or your spouse is toxic, and even when it is, you might not be ready to change it.  You don't necessarily have to, if you can find a way to make it work,<\/strong> and yet, stress, or emotional, eating comes as a result of emotional distress, so if changing yourself is not enough, you may have no other choice.\n<\/p>\n

    \n\tIt's also important to consider all the physical drivers of sugar cravings, for example blood sugar imbalances, that must be addressed. Long term success with reversing the damaging effects of sugar on your body often requires stepping outside of the traditional medical model and working with holistic practitioners who are trained in natural, preventative protocols.\n<\/p>\n

    \n\tReducing sugar in your diet not only helps with inflammation, but weight loss gets easier, moods naturally balance out, energy levels soar and sugar cravings stop. What a relief!  Plus, once you get a grip on sugar cravings, you can easily still have sweet, you just crave it less so you're not left feeling so out of control with it\n<\/p>\n

    \n\tWho doesn't want that?!\n<\/p>\n

    \n\tThe next time you get a craving for sugar, don’t demonize it as if it’s a weakness because in reality, it’s an important message from your body that there is an underlying imbalance somewhere that needs to be addressed.   Whether it’s to satisfy you physically, emotionally, or mentally, <\/span>the key to overcoming sugar cravings<\/strong> is identifying what your body wants and knowing how to feed it right.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

    \n\tEvery time.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

    \n\tOh!  And one more thing!  I've got a great FREE Video eCourse on how to stop emotional eating, here:<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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