Fit Mommy: Avoiding the rush — at the mall and in your blood sugar levels
The rush for sugar or shopping mystifies me still...
photo by Flickr user LarimdaME
Frenzied shoppers standing at the door, just waiting to get into that store first! You would think that this would be me, wouldn't you? Nope, not a lick. I don't like to compete for the best price at 4 in the morning. I will pay a discounted price online when I decide to get out of bed later.
The sugar rush is another one of those mystifying phenomena to me. Most people are just crazy about the gumdrops and fancy cupcakes. Me? I like chocolate and sweets on occasion, but I am more interested in salty treats, to be perfectly honest. I would take nachos over candy any day.
For those of us who are trying to resist those sweet nothings (and nothing is healthy about that stuff), I wanted to give you some advice. Here are my tips to help you avoid a sugar binge:
1) Don't completely ignore a craving. However, you also shouldn't completely give in to a craving, either. Somewhere in the middle is best. Take a few bites. After that, the taste rush won't be as exciting!
2) Stop buying it. Just don't. If it isn't around you every time you pass the pantry, you won't be reminded that it is there. Oh, and don't give me the excuse that the kids like it — they don't need it either!
3) Substitute it. If you like chocolate, try just a small square of dark (70 percent cocoa or more) chocolate. The taste is very intense, and you don't need very much to fill a chocolate void. Instead of jelly beans or other crazy candies, try sugarless gum or tic tacs.
4) Use fruit. Sometimes we forget about "nature's candy." If you want a Snickers, a banana won't subsititute, but if you are needing a good snack, reach for raisins or a piece of sweet fruit.
5) Distract yourself. Find something else to do. Walk away from the object of desire, wash your hair, brush your teeth or make a phone call... do anything but eat that doughnut!
I hope this helps you with your next sugar rush. Meanwhile, I will be shopping online...
Eva Johnson is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified personal trainer. She lives in chaos with her husband, two boys and a shedding Labrador Retriever. To see her complete blog about her journey to stay sane and in shape, visit www.fitnessbyeva.com.
Comments
Eva Johnson
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 8:28 p.m.
@scooter dog, I know that raisins are higher in calories and grams of sugar per serving, but at least they are contain some nutritional value. One serving may be enough to counteract a sugar craving in a more healthy way. (since they are really sweet and also provide some iron and fiber)
scooter dog
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 8:19 p.m.
Raisins are loaded with sugar 29 gr per serving.I don't think so
Eva Johnson
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 12:07 p.m.
I will have to write on how to avoid a salty craving. This is my weakness...
Melissa Boehling
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 10:03 a.m.
I'm with you. Many can't understand how chocolate cake or other similar desserts just don't have the pull they do for others for me. I'd much rather have a bunch of Doritos or similar salty treats. The idea of those really sweet cakes and such makes my stomach churn at the idea of feeling icky. I know I guess I am just unlucky or maybe actually lucky that my body reacts that way. :) That doesn't mean I won't ever have a piece of chocolate or desert but it's pretty rare and normally can't eat more then a few bites. Well other then chocolate covered pretzels...those can be a bit more addiciting for me.