Four ways you can cut down sugar

BOOT CAMP Week 4 was inspired by a Public Health England sugar reduction summit I attended at which Jeremy Hunt spoke about the need for people to cut down on sugar because of the damage it’s doing to their health. The Health Secretary said the latest Government survey showed that 92 per cent of people know sugar is bad for them but still don’t do much about reducing their consumption.

I write about the damaging effects of sugar so often and just had to include it in the Boot Camp – because if you’re serious about losing weight then reducing your sugar consumption is one of the best ways of making that happen.

Now, your Slimpod programme will help because it nudges you towards healthy choices and away from the lure of sugary stuff – without needing willpower.

However, it’s always useful to get the conscious mind on board to empower you even more.  Sugar has the same addictive effects as Class A drugs like heroin, so I reckon we should throw everything at kicking it out of our lives!

Here’s some tips to cut down on sugar.

First big tip – be focussed when you’re doing your weekly supermarket shop.   Give yourself a fighting chance and cut out processed food!

It’s a scandal that food manufacturers put so much sugar in our food. Stay vigilant about the hidden sugars in drinks, too!

Second big tip – address your stress. Stress makes the body release the hormone cortisol, which seriously affects many of your body’s vital functions. Over time, stress will make you put on weight and can cause digestive problems, headaches, heart disease and sleep issues. In women it can lead to osteoporosis.

Because cortisol has a dramatic effect on your blood sugar levels, it can also affect what you eat when you’re stressed. How often do you want to eat something that’s comforting (sweet and sticky!) when you’re stressed?

If your brain has learnt to reach for food as a response to negative feelings – what experts call a “trigger” – this can result in craving sugary things to take away stress. On go the pounds.

Be consciously aware this is happening and break the pattern. What could make you feel better instead of sugary food?

How about going for a brisk walk?

Or listening to relaxing, happy music?

Or a relaxation download?

Third big tip – get enough sleep! How often do we hear “I desperately need sugar because I’m tired”? Sleep deprivation plays havoc with the mind/body connection and our hormones. That’s when the hunger hormone ghrelin raises its ugly head!

Make a good night’s sleep a priority and during the day, grab a power nap instead of doing anything else.

And last but not least, my fourth big tip. Take an interest in your nutrition. 

You can reduce cravings dramatically by eating a well-balanced combination of protein, fibre and healthy fat.    Eating this way leads to more stable blood sugar, a healthy gut and a happy mind.

Including a combination of protein, fibre, and healthy fat in your breakfast and lunch will really help you to gain control.

The beauty is, protein and fibre can make you feel fuller so you can burn off your stubborn fat without having to starve yourself.

Add lean protein to your meal plan. This could include meat, fish eggs, green peas, quinoa, almond butter, pistachios and lentils.

Choose high fibre foods: Berries, apples, legumes, oats, brown rice, and organic, non-starchy vegetables (brussel sprouts, broccoli, artichokes, and squash) are all good choices.

So there you go.  Remember, it’s ACTION that will help you get to your goal!  Add one of these ways of helping you quit sugar to your list of new habits this week!

Please leave a comment below – I love reading your views and I know they are so helpful for other people. It would be great if you could share the message on social media, too.

7 thoughts on “Four ways you can cut down sugar”

  1. Wendy Brotherwood

    Thank you Sandra I have been trying to do this I’d say at least 80% of the time now. I’m cooking from scratch, weekends are harder but I’m getting there, ?

  2. Where do we stand with cheese? Years ago on WW plan I made cheese a no no. I have acalcium deficiency and so cheese would be a good way against others to up my calcium.

  3. Thank you, Sandra. I get very broken sleep and am under quite a lot of stress as a working mum to two little ones. I crave sugar only in the evenings now, whereas it was all the time before listening to the Slimpod. Now I’m aware I can watch what I’m doing, and perhaps have an apple to try and satisfy the craving.

  4. Hi I’m trying to make changes in terms of both sugar and caffeine consumption. I’m drinking water with Robinsons squash’d juice which says 0% sugar. However on the back it says sucralose ?? Is this ok to drink please. I also drink Pepsi max which is hard to give up.
    In relation to protein I eat a lot of the fage no fat Greek yogurt is this a good choice?? I also have a love for muller light yogurts which I’m pretty sure although they say no fat they have sugar. I love yogurt though. Advice appreciated many thanks

  5. I give up sugar at the beginning of September and now I don’t even think about it. My next goal is to stop drinking Pepsi Max which help me to stop the sugar, because I have heard that this can be as bad as the full sugar and I have managed 5 days so far.

    1. Yes I’ve heard that too that’s why I’m wondering if the sugar free squash is the same. It’s so hard to know what’s best. Confused.com

      1. Sadly your body can’t tell the difference between sugar and sugar alternatives so if you can steer clear of all that really is the best way to get rid of your sweet tooth.

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About Sandra
Founder of Thinking Slimmer
Food addiction expert
Member of All-Party Parliamentary Obesity Group
Huffington Post contributor
DipCHyp HPD NLP MasterPrac
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