Sugar is the worse substance in existence. To understand how bad sugar is for you, think about a 200-year-old skeleton and how it comes as no surprise that the teeth are still intact. In a new study out of the UK, scientists plotted average sugar intakes in various populations around the world and compared them to the levels of tooth decay. They found people who eat little or no added sugar had little or no tooth decay.
For sugar to have the ability to rot a tooth is remarkable considering how strong calcium is. The question I get all of the time when I bash sugar is, “How do I curb my sweet tooth?”. Will power is not the answer that anyone wants to hear. What people really want to know is a way for the desire for sugar to dissipate.
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How to curb your sweet tooth
After months of research, we have compiled our CF4L 10 best ways to fight you wanting sweets all day every day.
1. Increase your protein intake. Often our bodies will exhibit cravings for sweets when what they really need is more protein (seafood, lean white meat, beans, etc.).
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2. Eat a breakfast with no sugar. For example, try eating brown rice, lean protein or blanched vegetables first thing in the morning. Eating sugar in the morning makes you crave more sugar throughout the day.
3. Grab some gum. If you want to avoid giving in to a sugar craving completely, try chewing a stick of gum.
4. Eat foods that are high in the mineral magnesium. These include dark leafy greens, raw cacao, nuts and seeds, brown rice, quinoa and avocado. Sugar cravings may actually be a result of magnesium deficiency.
5. Eat a teaspoon of extra-virgin coconut oil three times a day. This will help boost metabolism, nourish the brain and reduce sugar cravings. Add coconut oil to your smoothies, soups and stir-fries.
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6. Get up and go. When a sugar craving hits, walk away. Take a walk around the block or do something to change the scenery, to take your mind off the food you’re craving.
7. Reach for fruit. Keep fruit handy for when sugar cravings hit. You'll get fiber and nutrients along with some sweetness. And stock up on foods like nuts, seeds and dried fruits.
8. Supplement with amino acid L-glutamine. L-glutamine helps to reduce, and even eliminate, sugar cravings. It also helps to heal the digestive tract and supports the immune system. If you're on medication, talk with your health care practitioner before supplementing.
9. Choose quality over quantity. If you need a sugar splurge, pick a wonderful, decadent sugary food. But keep it small. For example, choose a perfect dark chocolate truffle instead of a king-sized candy bar.
10. Slow down. For one week, focus on your sugar cravings and think about what you’re eating. When you slip, it often results from a lack of planning. So slow down and plan.
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When to see a dentist
If early tooth decay, you may not experience any symptoms. However, as tooth decay worsens, you may experience:
- A toothache (tooth pain)
- Tooth sensitivity to sweets, hot, or cold
- White or brown stains on the surface of a tooth
- A cavity
- An infection, which can lead to an abscess (pocket of pus) forming. The abscess can cause pain, facial swelling, and fever
It is important to see your dentist on regular basis, especially, you are experiencing any of the symptoms above. Your dentist will examine your teeth with dental instruments and determine if you need a dental x-ray.
See how Diabetes is impacting the Black community here!
Siddiqu "The Personal Trainer" is a CPT, motivational speaker, author of How Are You Fat and Saved?! He is also the co-creator of the exercise series “You Would Think I Invented Sweat”. For booking information or more fitness tips, visit www.chicagofit4life.com.
