Breaking the sugar habit is a struggle. Whether you’ve decided to ditch it to lose weight, improve specific areas of your health, or simply because you know it’s not good for you, it’s always going to be a struggle. It cracks me up when I hear health gurus claim that once you have a concrete reason for stopping, it’ll be a breeze. Chile, listen. Having a solid reason to quit helps, but it is not smooth sailing from there. If you have gone off on your family, friends, and the poor cashier at Chickfila when they tell you they have run out of cookies and cream milkshakes, keep reading. This is for you!
“Sugar is my favorite abusive relationship.”
I heard these exact words from a girl near me as I sat down to write this! Her perspective is on point. Sugar is an addictive substance found in almost everything these days. I’m not big on candies and desserts, but I love sweet food! The average person should have no more than 24 grams of six teaspoons of sugar a day. The body only needs 4 grams or 1 teaspoon to function properly. Going overboard with your intake can lead to an array of issues from headaches and allergies to diabetes and cancer.
If you find yourself pining for those sweet snacks and scraping the sides of the dish in a pool of sadness when it’s nearly gone, you may be deficient in these three things:
Magnesium
Magnesium’s most popular use is for sleep regulation and relaxation. Sugar is often desired most in states of stress. This mineral is essential for your cells to make energy and various chemical pumps that directly affect your stress levels and digestive functions. Sugar cravings are one of many side effects of a deficiency here.
Others include:
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Insomnia
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Irritability
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Sensitivity to loud noises
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Anxiety
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Autism
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ADD
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Palpitations
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Angina
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Constipation
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Anal spasms
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Headaches
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Migraines
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Fibromyalgia
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Chronic fatigue
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Asthma
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Kidney Stones
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Diabetes
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Obesity
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Osteoporosis
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High Blood Pressure
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PMS
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Menstrual cramps
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Irritable Bladder
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Reflux
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Trouble Swallowing
It sounds like a back pain medicine commercial, doesn’t it? Considering how many things magnesium affects is mindblowing!
Around 80% of Americans are deficient in magnesium due to a highly-processed diet of crappy flours, meats, and dairy, and food that is grown in poor soil.
Common culprits of your body’s magnesium levels include:
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Diuretics
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Stress
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Phosphoric acid
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Chronic diarrhea
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Excessive menstruation
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Intestinal parasites
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Excess alcohol consumption
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Coffee
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Salt
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Profuse sweating
Luckily, this is typically an easy fix.
Consider implementing a few of the following:
Food
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Seaweed
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Kelp
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Almonds
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Cashews
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Brazil nuts
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Beans
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Fermented Non-GMO soy
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Brown rice
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Figs
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Dates
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Collard greens
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Garlic
Vitamins
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Vitamin B6
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Vitamin D (aka prescription sunshine)
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Selenium
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Magnesium supplements
People with kidney or severe heart disease should only take magnesium under a doctor’s supervision.
Zinc
Zinc is a type of metal and essential trace element because your body doesn’t make its own. All the zinc you’re going to get is purely from your food and environment.
Zinc:
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Is necessary for healthy cell division
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Supports immune function
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Fights colds and infections
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Balances hormones
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Is an antioxidant
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Is an anti-inflammatory
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Fights diabetes
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Maintains heart health (supports blood vessels)
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Prevents diarrhea
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Supports fertility
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Aids in nutrient absorption and digestion
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Supports liver health
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Builds and repairs muscles
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Supports vision and eye health
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Promotes wound healing
Aside from nearly throat punching someone when denied sugar, other signs of deficiency you may notice are:
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Change in appetite (salty-sweet cravings)
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Dramatic weight change
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Chronic fatigue
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Digestive problems
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Infertility
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Hair loss
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Hormonal problems
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Lack of concentration
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Memory loss
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Nerve dysfunction
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Low immunity
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Change in taste or smell
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Slow healing of wounds
You can boost your zinc level through these delicious culinary options:
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Lamb
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Grass-fed beef
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Chickpeas
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Cashews
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Pumpkin seeds
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Kefir
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Chicken
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Turkey
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Eggs
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Mushrooms
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Salmon
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Cocoa powder (see chocolate is health food)
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Like zinc, your body does not produce omega 3s, so you must be intentional about adding it to your regiment.
Omega 3s help with:
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Blood clotting
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Heart health
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Mood function
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Thyroid function
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Gut and immune system health
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Eye health
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Sleep regulation
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Pregnancy
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Nursing
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Bone health
Try cooking with more:
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Tuna
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Salmon
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Mackerel
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Atlantic herring
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Mussels
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Anchovies
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Swordfish
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Alaskan pollock
