5 Ways to Overcome Sugar Addiction

Almost everyone loves sugar. It's kind kind of hard not so just because it is everywhere. Companies put it in cereal, energy bars, soda, juice, even ketchup. However, while some people might just have a sweet tooth others can have a full blown sugar addiction. This proves as an obstacle for weight loss and living an overall healthy lifestyle.

Sugar addiction is actually fairly common. According to Yahoo Health, Americans consume 20 to 30 teaspoons of sugar a day. That is basically half a cup of sugar. At that rate, excess sugar in one's diet can lead to hypertension, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and depression.

Yahoo Health also points out that sugar is a perfect addiction culprit. It releases neurotransmitters from the brain in a manner similar to alcohol, cocaine, and other substances. People also tend to eat sugar compulsively leading to a tolerance against its effects. Finally, heavy consumers have difficulty functioning without it and when sugar intake ceases withdraw symptoms occur.

So what can you do to get yourself off of sugar? Since an addiction to sugar is both emotional and physical, one would have to attack it from all angles. Below are a few tips to get you started:

Fight Sugar Addiction Tip #1

Keep sugar out of the house. The less there is available to you he less you will eat. This includes both white and brown sugar and products with corn syrup.

Fight Sugar Addiction Tip #2

Eat enough healthy foods to satisfy your hunger. How about you eat a slice of apple instead of a brownie? Yahoo Health recommends foods such as fruits, carrots, red pepper, dates, and dried fruits to satisfy a sweet tooth craving. Instead of ice cream how about trying frozen fruit?

Fight Sugar Addiction Tip #3

Take a multivitamin and mineral supplement. For some people this will help reduce sugar cravings.

Fight Sugar Addiction Tip #4

Some people eat sugar out of depression or anxiety. To help cope with these conditions exercise regularly and get plenty of sunlight. This releases endorphins so that sugar is no longer a coping mechanism.

Fight Sugar Addiction Tip #5

When you go out make sure you are not extremely hungry. This will reduce the temptation to eat sugar.

For more helpful tips visit Yahoo Health.