Hello my name is Susie and I am a sugar addict. Being addicted to sugar is a real thing and not to be taken lightly. I received several comments from people who wanted me to write more about sugar cravings after last week’s post 10 Tricks to Beat the Urge to Cheat at the Office so here we go. Sugar is in everything these days like the obvious – donuts, candy, sugary sodas, cakes and cookies and the not-so-obvious – yogurt, energy and fruit drinks, cereals and ‘health bars.’ Not only can sugar cause you to gain and retain weight and wreak havoc on your skin but also too much added sugar increases your risk of dying from heart disease, according to a major study published by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA). See recent article on the subject by Harvard Medical School that outlines the risk. This is no joke.

Growing up I was always linked to my grandmother for our sweet tooths. As I got older, sugar became a source of comfort during stressful times like starting a new job or taking the GMATS – I was channeling Grandma Nellie. Eventually, I just ate sugary treats because they were there and they made me happy!  That was until the guilt and the bellyache overpowered the feeling of euphoria. They don’t call it ‘Sugar Blues’ for nothing. Once you become addicted, it’s a downward spiral.

So how did I go from drooling over candy bars (3 Musketeers were my favorite) to a take it or leave it attitude towards the constant supply of happy birthday cakes at the office? Below are the health tips which helped me kick the sugar habit to the curb.

7 steps to kick your sugar habit

1. Introduce more sweet vegetables to your diet and cravings will begin to subside. Cooked carrots, beets, squash, onions, sweet potato and corn become sweet when cooked. Root vegetables like turnips and parsnips although not as sweet, still provide some sweetness and help to reduce cravings. The change will be subtle at first but eventually you will notice that you crave less and less of the unhealthy foods made with processed sugar. This is called ‘crowding out.’ Vegetables like those mentioned above contain vitamins and minerals and are energetically grounding which is an added bonus. Here is a good article on grounding from Dr. Mercola’s website. Grounding or ‘earthing’ is especially important for those of us who work in an office setting with little access to nature.
2. Eat more red radishes, daikon radishes and green cabbage. While not sweet, they help maintain blood sugar levels similar to sweet veggies, reduce cravings and aid in digestion. Red radishes and cabbage are more common but don’t discount daikon, a staple in Asian cuisine, which can be found at many grocery stores.
3. Dates. Not the romantic kind but the dried up squishy fruit kind. I would not survive this journey of life without dates. I only need one or two and I’m good. They are packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber and most importantly, are simply delicious. While I don’t recommend a sugar addict make it a habit of making desserts (even the healthy kind), here is a great recipe for No Bake Raspberry Fudge made with dates. A little goes a long way.
4. Oatmeal. Oatmeal is a hearty, comforting food. I have become accustomed to plain oatmeal with nothing more than a banana for sweetness and a dash of cinnamon. Feeling adventurous? Add chopped walnuts, dates and a little pure maple syrup.
5. For chocoholics, I recommend my fudge mentioned above or homemade cocoa to beat a craving. Pour about an eighth of a cup of hot water into a mug and add a tablespoon or two of raw cacao powder or cocoa powder. Mix well. Add more hot water or even better, heated almond, oat or hemp milk, sweeten with maple syrup and top with cinnamon.
6. Water. It wouldn’t be a post from me without mentioning water. Once that sugar craving comes on, down a large glass of H2O and wait it out. What craving? Consider drinking water an important beauty tip as well. Water keeps the skin hydrated and youthful.
7. If you are still not able to kick the sugar habit, seek the help of a health coach with experience in nutrition. If your love affair with sugar runs deep, don’t go it alone. Work with a certified health coach to develop a unique plan of action to reduce and eventually eliminate sugar cravings. Rest assured, you are not alone in your cravings and you will kick this need for sugar in the backside!

Here’s a tried and true recipe for Roasted Sweet Vegetables to keep your sweet tooth at bay:

Roasted Sweet Vegetables

September 2, 2016

by Susie Belanger

Category Recipes Self Care

Ingredients

• 1 medium sweet potato - cubed (no need to peel - just wash well)
• 1 large red beet - peeled and cubed
• 1 small butternut squash - peeled and cubed
• 1 ear of corn - husk removed and cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 medium carrot - cut into 1/2 in cubes (no need to peel - just wash well)
• 1 medium onion - peel outer layer, cut into large chucks
• 4 gloves of whole garlic
• 3 tablespoons organic cold pressed unrefined coconut oil*
• several sprigs of rosemary, thyme and sage
• salt and pepper to taste
• *Coconut oil doesn't become carcinogenic when heated at high temperatures like olive oil. Consider using olive oil for salads and coconut oil for cooking.

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees
2. Toss everything in a large bowl until evenly coated with oil
3. Pour vegetables and herbs into a large pan or glass dish (I prefer to cook with cast iron especially for roasting)
4. Roast for approximately an hour to an hour and a half, turning vegetables every half hour until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside
5. Serve with brown rice or quinoa and a glass of red wine (just one!) for the full effect
6. This recipe also makes a gorgeous magenta-colored soup. After vegetables are slightly cooled remove the corn to eat separately and place everything else in a food processor or Vitamix, add hot water and blend. If you have sunflower seed butter aka sunbutter, add a tablespoon to the mix for a creamier soup. Add seasonings to achieve the desired flavor. I am a sucker for Bragg's Amino Acids or coconut aminos in place of salt. Nota Bene: I'm not kidding about removing the corn first. I made the mistake of leaving it in tonight and my Vitamix went haywire. My kitchen looked like a crime scene. I'm still cleaning up. Cooking is an adventure!

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