Getting Control of Your Sugar Intake Through the Holidays

The holidays present a high degree of challenges, for handling sugar intake. More and more individuals are becoming addicted to sugar. This addiction leads to added weight, diabetes, poor health and even death. This article takes a look at how an individual can control their sugar intake, especially over the holidays.

Many individuals feel sick, weak, headaches, restless, moody, bloated and over weight, by sugar use. They know what is causing their problem. However, it is hard for them to take charge of their life and their addiction to sugar and sweets.

To overcome this problem, it has to be attacked in several ways. Going "cold turkey" is not one of them. Let's take a look at ways to fight your sugar intake. Over the holidays, this becomes an even bigger challenge.

Set a goal; Establish some parameters for your sugar intake. Start small and gradually build on your cut back. Keep a record of what you eat, drink and when. Even if it is bad, be honest to yourself. You are the only one that can control this. Nobody is going to help you. A record will keep you in alignment with your goals.

Start Slow; When you start reducing sugar, begin with the evening meal. The body tends to store sugar at night instead of burning it. This extra sugar is what leads to health problems. Start with this meal and work downwards. Lunch would be next. Breakfast is last because you tend to burn more energy with sugar, during the course of the day. Become very conscious of what you are eating. If you have to, prepare your own sugar free meals.

No food after dinner; Stay away from all snacks after dinner. If you must eat something, go with crackers, nuts or popcorn. Remember this time of the day is worst for storing sugar in your system.

Beverages; Some people begin with their drinks first. Sugar in tea and coffee are eliminated. Sodas go to sugar free or no soft drinks at all. Instead, go only with ice water. This will quickly start to detox your body. Some people like to use Splenda or Equal. Try it at only one third of a bag first. Keep in mind that these two additives will still leave you a craving for sweeter things. So they may not help as much as you think.

Eliminate it from your diet; This is hard to do for many reasons. Sugar is hidden as an additive in many things. Restaurants even hide it, to make their food better tasting. Salad dressing use it to make their product more attractive. You think you are eating a healthy salad and then discover the sugar in your dressing. All your good intentions are wasted. To get through this, you have to be knowledgeable about what sugar is in. You will also find it in spaghetti sauce, power bars, and other products.

Detoxing; I recommend that this be done natural and without a quick fix. Don't use over the counter drugs. If you need drugs to help with your detoxing, go through your physician. Natural is safe and there are no additives. Simply work on your detox for 48 hours, then go to your new diet plan on sugar reduction.

Expect Changes; As you start to get rid and take control of your sugar intake, you will experience mood swings. However, once you get through it, you will start feeling better.

Holiday Snacks; During the holidays, sweets are every place. You will find extra baked good being brought in the work place, special holiday deserts are made loaded with sugar. Specials with sugar is located every place you turn. You have to be vigilant and avoid these at all costs.

Whenever you are tempted, refer to your goals. Staying true to them will help you through the temptation,of eating snacks.

Finally, continue to educate yourself to the value of going without sugar and it's healthful benefits for you.