Get Rid of Sugar Cravings & Stop Binge Eating
Step #1: The desire to Change
This can seem logical, but we can not change and get rid of sugar cravings if that’s not something we really want to. Strong willing to change is the first step in order to accomplish anything in life. Why do most people fail at changing their diet, eating healthier, stopping cigaret, or whatever…? Because deep inside, they don’t really want to. They wish they could… but their desire is not strong enough to allow them to make all the necessary efforts in order to reach their goals. A lot of people only « wish » but never really go into action. The first step to get rid of sugar cravings and binge eating is to deeply desire it. This strong desire will then help you overcome all the difficulties that can be on your way for Change.
My advice : Find within yourself, this thing that would really motivate you to change. Find THE reason why you want to stop binge eating or sugar cravings and become this new person that you want to become. For example, this could be something like: I want to live the longest I can in order to see my kids as long as I can, I want to have a better physique and finally love myself, feel feminine and attractive, I want to be more in control of myself, my health and my life, I want to become stronger mentally… etc
Step #2: The awareness of the consequences of what you do
At first, we can hide behind the excuse of « not knowing »; You didn’t know this food had so much sugar in it, you didn’t know white sugar was so harmful, you didn’t know that was the main reason why you were overweight. However, once you know, it’s difficult to continue to act the same way. The more your consciousness expands, the more you evolve, and the more you automatically change. The more I got information on the composition of certain refined products, the less I wanted to consume them. The more I studied the body’s reactions after consuming these products, the more they would repel me. The expansion of my knowledge made me then responsible of what I gave to my body. I realized it was entirely under my responsibility and no one else’s. I am what I eat.
My advice : Inform yourself as much as you can about food, read the labels, the ingredients, expand your knowledge on the subject. The more you’ll have consciousness of the impact of what you do, think and eat on your body and on your life, the more responsible and strong you’ll become. If you haven’t read it yet, you can also read my previous article on the dangers of white sugar, and why it’s poison, here.
Step #3: The detoxification
As for all things « addictive » and harmful that we have to stop, the « detoxification » phase is the hardest, yet vital to overcome in order to be truly liberated. A lot of people say that they managed to overcome drugs, alcohol or cigaret, but that sugar is by far the most difficult addiction to overcome. Indeed, to detoxify from sugar is hard. I’ve been through it. However, I promise that once you’re overcome this difficult phase, where you body still asks for it, a new life will arise for you. You will then even ask yourself, like most previously alcoholics or drug addicts: « How have I been able to do this for so long »…
My advice : Start progressively. Reduce your sugar and carb consumption little by little. Don’t try to do it all at once. Diminish the quantities first, then suppress some products, then another one. Replace the unhealthy products with healthier alternatives. Each day, each week, a new effort. And even if you fall off the wagon one day, don’t blame yourself, keep going, go back on track, and restart where you are. You will see, little by little your body won’t ask for it as much as before. You’ll detoxify, once you’ll have overcome this uncomfortable phase. You will then be free. But once again, the key is consistency, and keeping up, even in the difficult moments. (And also work on the 4th step which you will discover right after ;).
Step #4: The inside work
Like you probably already know, sugar cravings are directly linked to our emotions. We want sugar, often to fulfill a void, to get comfort, or on the contrary to reward ourselves. With the current level of stress in our societies, where pressure is huge in every area of our lives (work, family, romantic relationships, kids, health), it’s totally normal to be looking for some forms of Relief, at some point. We’re looking for all alternatives to make us feel internal peace, even for 1 minute, by eating this brownie. The problem is, this only lasts 1 minute. Then, chaos is here again, and it’s even worst because now we’ve got all the guilt that is added, then regrets, then self hate for what we just did, and it’s a vicious circle that we really have to stop on time. So, in addition to work on our eating behaviors (the 3 first steps), it’s vital to make an internal work, to work on ourselves, very deeply. Because once you’re at peace with yourself and the world, you have no need to compensate your lacks through food anymore. Unfortunately, most people put this kind of work, last, or don’t even consider it at all. However, changing our thoughts is most of the time the only thing we need to do in order to change our lives…
My advice : Read books, articles, watch videos on everything « Personal Growth ». Go to seminars, meditate, practice yoga, relaxation, write in a journal, hire a coach, a healer, a psychologist… Basically, find all the ways to help YOU become a better version of yourself, to expand, to grow as a person. We all have a different path, and some of us have to go through specific roads to understand specific lessons, and you may be one of them. Everyone has its own road to spiritual awakening and peace of mind. But this is honestly one of the beautiful journey you’ll experiment. Go there with enthusiasm. Be excited about this person you’re about to become. Internal struggle is painful. So many people suffer inside and hide it. They try to compensate with external attributes, possessions, with a high status in their profession, or try to escape their reality by going out all the time and never be alone, by accumulating relationships or sexual relations, drug consumption,… it can take many forms. And it can also be in the form of food.
The only solution to get out of this external chaos is to make peace with ourselves. And to make peace with ourselves and gain more serenity in our lives, it has to be an inside work. It can not be any other way. We have to be open to the fact that a new reality can happen for us, that we can be helped, that Change is possible, and that we really can become new persons.
Healthy 5-Ingredient Granola Bar
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed (200 g) dates, pitted (deglet nour or medjool)
- 1/4 cup (84 g) honey (or sub maple syrup or agave for vegan option)
- 1/4 cup (64 g) creamy salted natural peanut butter or almond butter
- 1 cup (112 g) roasted unsalted almonds, loosely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups (135 g) rolled oats (gluten free for GF eaters)
- optional additions: chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, banana chips, vanilla, etc.
Instructions
- Process dates in a food processor until small bits remain (about 1 minute). It should form a “dough” like consistency. (Mine rolled into a ball.)
- Optional step: Toast your oats in a 350 degree F (176 C) oven for 15-ish minutes or until slightly golden brown. Otherwise, leave them raw – I just prefer the toasted flavor.
- Place oats, almonds and dates in a large mixing bowl – set aside. Warm honey and peanut butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir and pour over oat mixture and then mix, breaking up the dates to disperse throughout.
- Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to an 8×8-inch baking dish or other small pan lined with plastic wrap or parchment paper so they lift out easily. (A loaf pan might work, but will yield thicker bars.)
- Press down firmly until uniformly flattened – I use something flat, like a drinking glass, to press down and really pack the bars, which helps them hold together better.
- Cover with parchment or plastic wrap, and let firm up in fridge or freezer for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove bars from pan and chop into 10 even bars (or 9 squares). Store in an airtight container for up to a few days. I kept mine in the freezer to keep them extra fresh, but it isn’t necessary.
Serves: 10
Rectus Abdomini Stretch
- Begin this abdominal stretch lying on your stomach with your hands in the press up position.
- Gently straighten your elbows, letting your back fall into an arch. Keep your abdominals and back relaxed.
- Straighten your elbows as far as possible and comfortable without pain.
- Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times provided the exercise is pain free.
