It’s white, pure, and can be deadly. Sugar is in everything these days. It’s hard to get away from. During treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, everything is suggested in moderation, even excess. Sugar is meant to be a harmless replacement during moments of cravings. For some, the habit can go too far. Here are 5 ways to rid yourself of one more vice and still live a sweet life in recovery.
- Get The Lowdown On Low Sugar Foods: Fruits and vegetables can provide a healthy dose of healthy sugar. Instead of turning to sweets, candies, and processed foods, start mixing more whole foods into your diet. Retrain your brain by reaching for extra sweet fruits whenever you have a craving. As sugar leaves your system, you’ll actually find that some fruit starts to taste too sweet.
- A Sweetener Of Another Name Still As Sweet: Have you ever tasted honey? When you’re addicted sugar, honey can taste like a bland sticky substance. Overtime as you come off your sugar addiction and start choosing alternatives, you’ll be amazed how delicious and sweet honey is. You can bring some fun into your alternative sweetener life by trying different honey varietals and noticing the difference in flavor. In addition to honey, natural forms of sweeteners are agave syrup, stevia, pure maple syrup, and even sugar free applesauce can sweeten up a favorite baking recipe.
- Fat > Sugar: Healthy fat, that is. The brain does not like sugar, even though it tells you it does through cravings. Sugar can actually damage your brain with all the spikes, ups and downs. Omega 3 fatty acids only come from foods. Instead of reaching for sugar, reaching for some fat. Try an avocado, cover everything in coconut oil, eat loads of nuts, and fatty fish like salmon. Your brain will thank you for it. Research has found that dementia might be tied to sugar and that eating healthy fats can ward off the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
- Enjoy The Refined Things In Life: As long as they’re not refined sugar. Sugar addiction is often a distraction or a way to create pleasure, sweetness, and reward in life. You are trained to “treat yourself” as a reward. When that reward becomes sweets, treats, and sugary eats, you create an association in your mind. Rewire that association and reward yourself in different ways. Use sweet essential oils in a diffuser, fill a vase with sweet smelling flowers, and spend time with sweet friends.
- Check Your Cravings: If none of these methods work, you might want to investigate why there is so much depth to your sugar addiction. Even though sugar is bad for you, your brain has to have a payoff. The sugar itself isn’t enough. You create an emotional association with reaching for sugar. You can work with a recovery-educated dietician or nutritionist to help look at your attachment to sugar and create a healthy plan for coming off the substance.
LEAD REcovery Center is committed to helping clients build confidence for handling life’s challenges. Life is full of changes. Recovery can be your constant. Our extended care programs empower clients to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle while continuing their recovery. Call us today for more information, at 1-800-380-0012.
