Your Valentine’s Day may have started with good intentions. But that box of chocolates sat on your counter taunting you all day. Soon, the weekend became a non-stop chocolate covered sugar rush!
Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us.
The key to maintaining your healthy lifestyle is getting right back on track after a day (or a weekend) of unhealthy eating.
Getting back on track is even more important if you’ve gone overboard on sugar! Have you ever noticed that when you eat sugar, you want more sugar? More and more studies are suggesting that sugar is addictive. (source) After you eat sugar, your body produces insulin to move glucose out of the bloodstream and into your cells for energy. This causes your blood sugar levels to drop, leaving you feeling low energy. What do you do? Reach for more sugar to get you going again! (source)
Don’t let yourself get stuck in the sugar cycle! I have a few easy tips that will help you curb your sugar cravings in just a few days.
Here’s your “I ate too much chocolate!” detox…
- Eat an energizing breakfast. I eat oatmeal almost every single day because it is full of fiber, which helps me stay full longer and it doesn’t raise my blood sugar. I like to add fresh fruit to my oatmeal and a spoonful of nut butter to add a bit of protein.
- Drink lots of water throughout the day. When you’re body is dehydrated, you can mistake the feeling for hunger. Aim to drink half of your body weight in ounces. (Ex. If you weigh 170 pounds, drink 85 ounces of water)
- Eat a protein-rich lunch. Opt for a salad with tons of veggies topped with a lean protein like chicken, fish or eggs. You’ll get tons of nutrients from all those veggies and the protein will help you stay full longer because it takes longer to digest.
- Grab fruit when you have a sugar craving. Because you are coming off of a weekend of too many sweets, you’ll probably still crave sugar. Munch on fresh berries, an apple or a banana instead. It will satisfy your sweet tooth and provide your body with nutrients and vitamins. If that doesn’t seem satisfying, have an apple with natural peanut butter. The protein will stick with you a bit longer.
- Have a balanced dinner. Your perfect detox dinner is 4 ounces of lean protein, a serving of whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, etc.) or a healthy starch like a roasted sweet potato and all the vegetables your heart desires.
- Get out and move! Exercise produces endorphins in the body that make you feel good. You definitely won’t be thinking about having a sweet treat when you feel awesome from a good workout.
Do you have a sweet tooth? How do you satisfy your sweet tooth while maintaining a healthy lifestyle?
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Do you want to lose weight and feel more confident? As a health coach, I help busy women lose weight so they can feel more confident and have more energy without calorie counting or restrictive eating. Schedule your free consultation now! [email protected]