Sugar. We all love it. But why? There are a few reasons why we crave the sweet stuff. For instance, studies have shown that women may crave sweets more often than men due to the female hormone estradiol. This hormone is an important part of reproductive and sexual function—which also might explain why some women report sugar cravings around the time of their period or during menopause or perimenopause.

Other reported causes of sugar cravings could be due to a sluggish or overloaded adrenal gland, a yeast infection, an underactive thyroid gland, an imbalance of beneficial gut bacteria, and stress.

Sound familiar? You're not alone.

Of course, eating healthy can help alleviate many of these issues—and there are also other ways to help curb your cravings. Here are four tips to help you kick the sugar habit.

Avoid Processed Foods
When we eat sugar our brains light up, more so than it does when other stimulants are used, and it's a reward system. The brain likes getting excited, so it tells your body to give it more. This means that high-sugar foods may cause the body to crave more food—and more sweet foods, specifically. This is similar to addictions to drugs like cocaine where the brain becomes wired to crave more. Many processed foods contain high levels of sugar among other undesirable ingredients. The more you can avoid these foods, the less likely you are to crave them.

Salty Sweet Visualization Exercises
When you find yourself tempted to eat something sugary that you know you shouldn't, imagine that you’ve poured salt all over it. Or, if you're struggling to resist a plate full of cookies, visualize yourself shaking salt all over them and then taking salty bite after salty bite. Experts say this works because, believe it or not, humans have a natural aversion to overly salted foods. It's simple, but this trick works well for a lot of people.

Eat More Fermented Foods and Probiotics
Combat those sugar cravings by adding fermented foods and probiotics into your diet. Fermented foods and liquids, as well as probiotics,  restore balance in your healthy gut bacteria. If you have "bad" gut bacteria/microbes, they can influence your cravings through nerve pathways linked to your stomach and brain. Adding more "good" bacteria/microbes helps offset this negative effect.

Keep Your Blood Sugar Stable
This may sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t keep their blood sugar stable. This instability can cause a lack of energy, an increase in cravings, mood swings, memory issues and imbalanced hormones. To balance your blood sugar, eat foods low on the glycemic index such as vegetables, berries, nuts, and seeds. It can also be helpful to eat several small meals throughout the day, making sure you get protein with every meal, and you don’t skip breakfast. Remember to also minimize your soda intake as it's a notorious source of hidden sugars.

If you'd like help with kicking the sugar habit, we are here for you. Our team at Pure Life Chiropractic can provide you the support you need so you're living life without the sugar crutch. Give us a call today at 541-343-5633

​Paleo Orange Beef Stir Fry

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
Serving Size: 1 plate

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb beef round, sliced into thin slices (1-inch in length)
• 2 small oranges, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (optional)
• 2 tablespoons tamari sauce
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (scallions)
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or avocado oil to cook in
• 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• Salt to taste

Substitutions:

• 1/4 onion (chopped) can be used instead of the scallions.
• Chicken can be used instead of beef.

Directions:

• Place the coconut or avocado oil into a skillet, wok or frying pan.
  
• Add the scallions and then the beef slices and sauté on high heat until most of the beef has
  turned brown.
• Add in the oranges, garlic, ginger and tamari sauce and sauté on high for 2-3 minutes more until
  ​the beef is fully cooked.
• Add salt to taste, garnish with cilantro, and serve.

Source: rubiesandradishes.com

Lemon Chicken Skillet

​Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size: 1 breast + veggies

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon oil of choice - olive, avocado, coconut, etc.
• Sea Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 lemon, quartered and juiced (about ¼ cup fresh juice)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon minced)
• 10 ounces fresh or frozen broccoli florets
• Optional: 2 tablespoons butter or ghee

Directions:

• Heat your oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle sea salt, pepper and Italian seasoning on
  each side of the chicken.
• Once your skillet is hot, add your chicken breasts. Brown for about 4 minutes per side or until
  golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
• Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, minced garlic to the skillet. Stir and scrape up any brown bits
  that are stuck on the bottom.
• Add your chicken back to the skillet, along with the used lemon quarters. Simmer the chicken in the
  sauce for about 5 minutes, turning halfway through. Add your broccoli to the skillet and cook until
  broccoli is bright green and tender and chicken is cooked through about 5 additional minutes.
  
• Finally, stir in the butter or ghee and add additional sea salt and pepper, to taste. Enjoy!

Optional:

• Try it topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan or Romano cheese!
• Add a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil at the end.
• Substitute mushrooms for broccoli (or use both!)

Source: primallyinspired.com

Bacon, Spinach & Mushroom Casserole

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
Serving Size: 1 plate

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 lb good quality smoked bacon, cut into medium sized strips
• 3 big handfuls of fresh spinach, stems removed
• 1 lb button mushrooms, sliced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp lard, butter or ghee
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Heat a large casserole over a medium heat and cook the bacon, making sure it’s still soft.
• Add the onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook for about a minute, until fragrant.
• Add the mushrooms and cook for about another 8 minutes, until soft.
• Add the spinach and butter, cover and let cook for another 4 minutes, stirring occasionally,
  ​until the spinach is well cooked.
• Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Source: paleoleap.com