Breaking the Sugar Habit

Breaking the Sugar Habit

This information was shared by nutritionist Barb Lagoni. It is wonderful information to think about as we head into a time of year where sugar is just running rampant.
It's tough to break the habit, but once you do, you feel SO much better.

One of the biggest challenges of eating healthy is removing simple carbohydrates, sugars and empty-calorie snacks from our diet. Sweets, snacks, chips, pasta, crackers, pretzels, potatoes, rice, soda pop and juices are just not good for us.

These foods are high-glycemic. That means they spike your blood sugar...only to see it plummet an hour or so later thus creating fluctuating blood sugars that lead to cravings and bingeing and no room for healthy choices.

Such cravings are not about will power. They are about metabolic imbalance that creates cravings for fast sugar and carbohydrate snacks.

The following are ways many people have successfully kicked that sugar habit and enjoyed good healthy food again.

The Ideal Diet - The ideal diet emphasizes fresh raw vegetables, some fresh fruit and fish and poultry.

Breakfast - include high protein foods... eggs, turkey sausages, or a smoothie made with a high quality Soy Protein or a meal in a bar- ours has 10 grams of protein!

Fresh fruit (avoid high glycemic fruits such as pineapple, banana and grapes)

Swiss oatmeal ( rolled oats softened overnight in milk or plain yogurt and fresh fruit.. blueberries, strawberries, etc and almonds) Yum!

Lunch is a great place for a main dish salad

Be sure to include lots of vegetables whether in salad or with a plate of fresh veggies, maybe with a dip.

Ideas for salads :

Try a variety of at least 6 different ingredients to create crunch, color, and flavor...

Veggies, veggies, veggies... try lightly steamed green beans or asparagus, a variety of greens ( except no iceberg lettuce .. no nutritional value there),sprouts, red cabbage, green cabbage, peas, shredded carrots, chopped broccoli, cauliflower, fresh white mushrooms, green onions, baby bok choi, spinach, assorted peppers, grated beet, cubed roasted squash etc

Add a little sweetness occasionally with dried cranberries or dried cherries, 1 fresh orange, rind removed and chopped, sliced apples, pears, grapes,

Add crunch with sliced almonds, pecans, walnuts, pistachios, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds...or Shaklee Fiber Plan Daily Crunch

Add flavor with sundried tomatoes, fresh herbs ( water cress, parsley, cilantro, ),pesto, artichoke hearts

For protein ...chopped, cooked chicken, turkey, tuna, garbanzo beans, chopped hard-cooked eggs, etc

Don't forget to make your own salad dressing.

Mid afternoon snacks... snack bars, energizing tea, vegetables and dip, fresh fruit, nuts, make some peanut butter fudge ( 1 cup organic peanut butter, Soy Protein - 1 cup, 1/3 cup honey)

Dinner - avoid high glycemic starches like potatoes, pasta and rice, avoid fried foods... Include, LOTS of vegetables... fresh or lightly steamed, meat, poultry and fish

Beverages... filtered water in a glass pitcher with cinnamon sticks, ginger root slices, or fresh mint for flavor

Evening snack - no popcorn... (high glycemic carb) nuts, veggies and dip, fruit,

Basic Supplements...to stop cravings for sweets and carbohydrates

High Quality Multi-Vitamin

A Complete B Complex (consider one with each meal)

Glucose Regulating Product

Fiber Tablets

Friendly Bacteria

Advanced Supplements - a daily all in one strip - great for on the go people!

All of these products are sold by Shaklee. You can find them in the product guide to the RIGHT. Please post if you want more information.

All the best for this holiday season !