Staying Sugar Free
It's the time of year where sugary foods are found at the office, parties, and at home. Baking goodies as gifts has been a way to let others know you are thinking of them. Sugar cravings can become strong and temptations are difficult to resist for those who have a sweet tooth. How is a person to maintain a healthy lifestyle with so much eye candy? Here are a few tips that can help:
Protein up: Protein is a plays a valuable role in balancing the blood sugar levels. Often times when a craving for sugar or carbohydrate hits, what is needed is a good source of protein. It's also digested at a slower rate than carbohydrates and the protein-rich foods are usually low on the glycemic index.
Balanced sugar level: When sugar is ingested, blood sugar levels spike and that "sugar rush" is reached. Whatever goes up, comes down and that crash can leave the body feeling sluggish and desperate for another sugar fix. Stabilize the blood sugar by consuming meals that include a mix of complex carbohydrates, fiber, healthy fats and protein. Since this mix will take a while to break down and absorb, the blood sugar level will be more balanced and cravings for sugar will be reduced.
Drink water: Staying well hydrated improves digestion, reduces pain, lubricates joints, fuels cells, transports chemical messengers throughout the body, enhances kidney function, and keeps up feeling energized. Studies show drinking water prior to a meal will prevent overeating and may lead to weight loss. When satiety is reached, there is a less likely chance of indulging in a cookie or a slice of cake.
Go to sleep: Sleep deprivation increased the production of the hunger hormone, ghrelin. When the body is sleep deprived, the chances of eating junk food like pizza and candy are greatly increased. These foods activate the reward centers of the brain which indicates likely unhealthy choices will be made when the body is really craving is sleep. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night and those sugar cravings will reduce or may even disappear altogether.
Sip some tea: Before reaching for a sugary snack, brew a cup of tea first. By the time the water gets hot and the tea seeps, the craving will likely pass. Choosing a tea with spices like cinnamon, ginger or turmeric will help regulate blood sugar.
Keep sugar out: The best way to beat sugar cravings is to not purchase them in the first place. If the sugary treats aren't in the house, there is a less likely chance of temptation. Instead stock the pantry and fridge with fresh vegetable, fruits, nuts, seeds, spices and teas that is in ready reach when a craving or hunger strikes.
health-bite: fight off sugar cravings
Cold and Flu Tea
When I was a little girl, my mother gave me honey when I had a cough. My husband remembered drinking tea with lemon and honey when he was sick. We all probably have some story to tell how home remedies were used to nurse the sick back to health. Recently, I found a tea recipe that is suppose to prevent or help with symptoms of a cold or flu. I first tried it on my daughter who came home from college on a weekend and proceeded to get sick the very next day. Having just read about this, she was willing to try this tea cocktail. The taste was flavorful she said as she drank it all down. Shortly, thereafter, she said she was feeling a little better. Now maybe it was coincidence, but within a matter of a few hours, she was out of bed, stiring around and eating food.
Another story to share is one from work. One of the folks I work with started with a cold. This particular person is VERY skeptical about anything that not purchased at a drug store. I offered to make the tea, and because of the cold that was upon them, agreed to try it. At first, this person wasn't in favor of the tea's taste, but after the first couple of sips stated it was, in fact, good.
Amazingly, after drinking a few sips of the tea, the report was "Something happened, the stuff in the back of my troat is gone and I can breathe better." For the rest of the day, this person felt pretty good. The next day, there was disappointment that I didn't bring anymore tea. I think the tea may help reduce the effects of the cold or flu and maybe even shorten the duration. This is not a cure, but can help with symptoms.
Personally, I find the flavors quite good, but I like tea anyway. There are a lot of different spices in this one. I have to admit, the cayenne pepper scared me a little! Be careful not to use too much, a little goes a long way.
I placed the spices in a coffee filter and steeped it that way in the hot water. I purchased the metal tea steeps, but the spices are so small, they go through. I don't like floaters in my drinks, so I opted for the coffee filter. If you have fresh herbs, then the metal tea steeps will work fine.
Here is the recipe straight out of "Be Your Own Doctor" by Rachel Weaver.
Cold and Flu Tea
1 whole clove
1/2 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp sage
1/2 cinnamon stick
1 tsp honey juice for half a lemon
Place spices together. Add honey and lemon juice in the cup. Let spices steep for several minutes and drink.
Health-bite: drink natural teas for cold and flu