Monday Morning Fit Tip:
CURB YOUR CRAVINGS
THE HEALTHY WAY
The number one reason that we crave sugary snacks is that our insulin is high, and when it starts to fall we want the sugar to spike it back up again. It’s a vicious cycle that often leads to feeling tired and fatigued. Here are some really good tips that will get you back on track to being healthy and feeling energetic again!
1. Increase your protein intake. Often times our body feels like it wants sugar when it’s really craving protein. Try starting with an egg, or something else that is high in protein.
2. Remove the temptations. If you don’t have them around the house or in your office desk, then it’s harder to indulge. Do what you can to remove the temptation BEFORE the craving hits. If you keep a jar of jelly beans on your desk – get rid of them! But also bring something healthy to eat when you are ready for a snack.
3. Eat frequently. Cravings are the worst when you’ve skipped a meal. By eating small meals every few hours you can avoid that drop in blood sugar. Eating 3 good meals a day with a snack in between will keep you feeling good without getting so hungry that you grab whatever you can find to get your blood sugar up.
4. Avoid artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners, like Saccharin or Aspartame, make us have more cravings for sweets, and may present a higher risk of cancer.
5. Cut sweets cold turkey then… Because our insulin is so used to being high, the first 3 days are the hardest. If you can eliminate sweets completely until your body has had a chance to let your insulin come down, you won’t crave them like you did. Then you should be able to be satisfied with small amounts. However for some people, just one taste is never enough and they have to finish the container. So listen to your body and adjust your plan your menu accordingly.
Kathie Brown
Certified NASM and AFAA Personal Trainer. Over 20 years experience. Specializes in weight loss, athletes and women body building and leaning out. Crossfit athlete, trains and competes in Crossfit competitions. Took the L1 Crossfit course and completed the judges course. Enjoys working with all levels and body types and loves seeing her clients get stronger and feel confident.
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