Sugar Damage Control

Cinnamon Blood Sugar Regulating Power

Our body knows what it needs to feel healthy and strong – we all know it but few of us can follow this innate calling for healthy foods. The reason is not in a weak will power or an abundance of unhealthy foods, it happens just because we forgot to listen to our bodies. As a result our taste buds, bombarded by the years of very intense tastes of refined sugar, can’t taste mild pure sweetness of whole grains. If you were forced to live in a room with loud speakers turned to a max level for years would you be able to hear a whisper? Probably, not…

Fortunately, listening to one’s body is a learned skill and it can be trained. However before you can start learning to listen to your internal food guide, you need to rejuvenate the poor deaf taste buds. The only way to do it is to CLEANSE of all the noise, especially refined SUGAR. It takes about 3-4 weeks for sugar cravings to subside and for the tastes buds to recover. The first 2 sugar-free weeks can be a little tough if you quit cold turkey. Strala‘s college correspondent Sarah Greenberg publicly committed to a sugar-free month in her last post. Inspired by Sarah’s goal but also aware that step backs can happen, I am going to focus on a few ayurvedic techniques to reduce the damage after consuming sweet things. Of course it is best to stay away from the evil sugar but in case you do decide to have a cookie (mindfully), you should not feel guilty. Just follow the Sugar Damage Control steps. These tips worked for me during the holiday dessert tastings and will be a good go-to tips for anyone who falls of the sweets wagon once in a while:

Mix in some healthy fats. This one might seem counter-intuitive but foods rich in healthy fats will slow down sugar absorption and will prevent sugar highs and lows. Natural high-fat, high-fiber, low-carb foods such as avocado, nuts, flax seeds are “slow-burning” fuel. They are are rich in phytochemicals, omega-3 fatty acids, thiamin, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, manganese. Their unique content helps lower blood sugar and cholesterol. You will have a longer sustained energy levels and feel full longer if you have a few sprouted almonds along with your favorite cookie. Avocado-based raw cheesecakes might be another healthy option.
Wash it down with LEMONY hot tea with CINNAMON. Modern medicine and ancient ayurvedic text agree on this one. Cinnamon can be used to reduce the glycemic index of a meal up to 29% due to its natural compound, polyphenol, that mimic the effect of insulin significantly lowering blood sugar. It is also helpful in lowering cholesterol. Doctors often advise diabetics to include 1-2 tsp of cinnamon in the meals and this is to the powerful cinnamon property of slowing down the rate at which food exits the stomach which means that you also feel full faster. Make sure to get freshly ground cinnamon (or any other spices) for the best effect since it’s active ingredients lose its properties after a prolonged exposure to air. Sprinkle it in tea or coffee.
Use it before you lose it. If you decide to put in extra fuel into your body, you might as well use it before it turns into unwanted extra pounds. About 90 mins after your dessert do some Sun Salutations with double, get some side planks in and a few awkward chairs – basically get your heart beating and calories used up. Try my Sugar Damage Control Sequence.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZQnA62xPeA]

Give me a shout if you need some support during your sugar detox and share your thoughts in the comments section!

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