Did you know that the average Briton consumes 68 kg of sugar a year?
Soft drinks, biscuits, cakes and cereals are obvious sources of sugar. But what about the hidden sugars, even in some ‘healthy’ foods?

Sugar is so popular that it goes by 65 different names!

Sugar is very addictive; it’s harder to resist than some drugs. So what can you do to have less sugar?
1. Don’t buy it and don’t keep it in the house. If it’s not around, you can’t eat it. If you are the one doing the shopping, it’s your choice in the supermarket what you put into your trolley. If the sugar sources are not in the house, you will be less influenced to continue your habit. In other words: you will disconnect the stimulus that triggers your habit. Out of sight, out of mind.

2. Increase your intake of superfoods (see my previous post) Food cravings are often a sign of nutrient deficiencies that leaves the brain hungry. Think of superfoods as integrating a healthy, diverse diet of whole foods.

3. Supplement with glutamine and chromium. They give glutamine to alcoholics in rehab centres. The brain feeds from either glutamine or glucose. If you give it glutamine, it actually shuts down the craving response. This amino acid has been found to reduce, or even eliminate sugar and starch cravings. Chromium is another blood sugar stabilizer. It has been shown to reduce sugar cravings.
4. Reduce your stress and sleep more. Stress, exhaustion and sleep deprivation ignite irrational cravings in the brain. This makes us want to reach for sugary foods. You are more likely to react badly to life’s stressors if your blood sugar levels fluctuate. If you don’t get enough sleep, self control and the best of intentions are quickly forgotten.