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Sugar is everywhere you look, and it
might pop up in some surprising places. Even whole grain breads have at
least one form of sugar in them. As a nation, we have a massive sweet
tooth. Even if you don't eat a lot of sugary treats you may experience
intense carbohydrate cravings when you first start the Atkins diet;
this is because your body may be experiencing carbohydrate withdrawal
symptoms.
Your blood sugar is tied into your energy levels and your overall
health. When your blood sugar is too low, you will experience intense
cravings. High blood sugar can be a result of eating high-sugar meals.
When you eat concentrated sugar, your blood sugar will spike. Your
pancreas will try to compensate and normalize blood sugar levels by
secreting insulin. If this happens frequently, you can become insulin
insensitive, which is a pre-diabetic condition in some cases.
The Atkins diet plan can put a stop to this cycle, but it doesn't mean
that sugar cravings will go away instantly. Temptation can be
especially difficult to resist, because sugared products are so readily
available.
The best way to handle sugar cravings is by planning your diet
carefully. If you maintain a balance of protein, fat and fiber in your
diet, you will prevent blood sugar drops that can lead to sugar
cravings. Eat small amounts of allowed foods frequently; snacks help
keep your blood sugar stable. Keep snacks like cheese, nuts, seeds and
boiled eggs handy so that so you can quickly stabilize your blood sugar
without reaching for sweets.
Sugar cravings can also signal nutritional deficiency. When you are low
on magnesium, you may crave chocolate and other sweets. Adequate zinc
and chromium levels can also thwart cravings. Take a good multivitamin
supplement to help ensure your levels of these nutrients are adequate.
If you are still experiencing cravings with a multivitamin, consider
extra supplementation of these nutrients.
Another cravings-buster is to brush your teeth. Many Atkins dieters
find that brushing their teeth or using Listerine breath strips can
help with cravings. These will numb your mouth and make you less likely
to want to eat. And be sure to drink enough water; drinking two large
glasses of water can also help eliminate cravings.
Sometimes "out of sight, out of mind" is the way to go. If you find
yourself overcome with cravings at home, take a walk to distract
yourself. Or, calling a friend for support. Logging into an Atkins
support forum can also help keep cravings manageable.
You are less likely to feel deprived if you can have a satisfying low
carb treat that's similar to your favorite, with many low-carb products
available on the market to beat your sweet tooth. Low-carb yogurt,
chocolate, ice cream and candy can help you stay on the Atkins plan and
still have an occasional sweet.
Cravings are inevitable on the Atkins plan, but these tips should help
you overcome them and maintain your commitment to weight loss.
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