Are you having more Sugar and Alcohol Cravings since the Lock Down?
The whole COVID 19 pandemic and its related disruption of your work/life balance, social interactions, as well as spending more time inside together with your family unit may definitely lead to increased anxiety, frustration, anger, sadness or worry.
Of course the quick fix can be sugar or alcohol, as it helps you to suppress your emotions, relaxes and brings hope. However, the down side is that sugar and alcohol will increase your inflammation, which will have a negative affect on your prefrontal cortex, your brains center for good decision making. So the vicious cycle of craving more sugar and alcohol can start, suppressing your immunity and well-being.
So let's identify what the motivators behind your sugar or alcohol cravings are. Is is emotional, boredom or lack in nutrients?
What can you do about it?
HERE ARE MY 8 TOP TIPS:
(1) SPEND MORE TIME WITH SELF. You need to fill your cup daily by doing something for yourself for 30-60 minutes. Non negotiable!
I highly recommend that this includes movement, meditation and breathing exercises and time in nature.
(2) PURPOSE & VALIDATION. We all need the two. If you find that this is compromised in your life right now then you may want to start with a new little project to create a new purpose and goal to get excited about. It can be as simple as learning to meditate.
(3) LEAVE THE SWEETS AND ALCOHOL AT THE STORE. Having them in the house is like self-torture. You will end up having them.
(4) INCREASE YOUR FIBRE INTAKE 35-40g/day which helps you to stay fuller longer. Eat vegetables with every meal.
(5) CONSUME MORE HEALTHY FATS (choose coconut oil, ghee, extra virgin olive oil and ditch those vegetable oils). Become a fat burner!
(6) ADD SMALL AMOUNTS OF PROTEINS TO EVERY MEAL.
(7) CONSUME MORE SOUR & PROBIOTIC FOOD.
(8) SWITCH TO STEVIA & MONKFRUIT SWEETENER.