How To Get Rid Of Sugar Cravings For Good
HOW TO GET RID OF SUGAR CRAVINGS FOR GOOD
21 / AUGUST / 2024
SHEREE'S HEALTH DIARIES
Tired? You’ll crave sugar.
Hungry for too long? You’ll crave sugar
Stressed out? You’ll crave sugar
There’s not many instances where our body won’t crave sugar if we aren’t giving it what it needs. But your body isn’t trying to work against you…
See, sugar is a quick source of energy, it will pick up your blood sugars, goes directly to the brain and boom… you feel less tired, less hungry and often a little less stressed (because let’s face it, sugar is yum!)
BUT… here’s the catch. It doesn’t last long, and before you know it, you’re back feeling tired, hungry and probably more stressed because you wished you hadn’t indulged in all of that chocolate.
CRAVINGS ARE TYPICALLY DRIVEN BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
- Blood Sugar Dysregulation: aka you’re not eating to support your insulin levels, causing a blood sugar rollercoaster, driving moods, energy, hormones and hunger to be all over the show (and feel out of control)
- Gut Dysbiosis: a fancy way of saying you either have too little good bugs, too many bad bugs or a combination of both. It is often too many bad bugs that are driving the sugar cravings because that’s what feeds them and allows them to multiply
- Fight/Flight/Freeze: a wired, tired, or frozen nervous system means you’re operating out of a sympathetic state - aka survival. When we live here, we rely on glucose (sugar) to function and therefore need more and crave more carbs to help keep ourselves going and ‘calm’ or as close to it as possible.
None of these are optimal ways to be living, and many of the clients I work with are dealing with a combination of one or more of the above.
SO HERE'S WHERE WE START…
Since all of these root causes are a form of stress on the body, we want to help by mitigating the stress and calming down the system. We also know the more stressed we are, the more magnesium we use.
So we start by adding in extra magnesium to your diet, whether this is in the form of a supplement (ideally start with 300mg of magnesium bisglycinate - this is the most bioavailable form of magnesium and won't give you the runs). Or get a high quality dark chocolate with no nasty ingredients, at least 70% cocoa or cacao and very low in sugar (no artificial sweeteners either). Take this daily and watch your sugar cravings disappear.
Also for the month of September in the Conscious Wellness Collective our challenge is ‘CURB THE CRAVINGS’ click here for more info!
SHEREE BEAUMONT
Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach I empower women like you to transform their lives, understand their bodies and feel their best from the inside out!
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Tested CGM Blood Sugar Levels
WHAT'S DISRUPTING YOUR BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS?
13 / SEPTEMBER / 2023
SHEREE'S HEALTH DIARIES
I tracked my blood glucose levels for a month, here's what I found out:
EFFECTS OF HIGH BLOOD SUGAR
Energy levels
Blood sugar provides the primary source of energy for the body's cells.
Hormone balance
Insulin imbalances can affect other hormones in the body.
Metabolism
High levels of blood sugar can lead to insulin resistance and weight gain.
Gut microbiome
Blood sugar fluctuations can influence your gut bacteria composition.
The best insight of all: I still ate things like pizza and ice cream without it causing a huge amount of harm to my body!... because I clothe my carbs
HOW TO CLOTHE YOUR CARBS:
If you're eating any carb… combine it with fibre, fat, or protein for a reduced glucose spike!
So as you can see the hidden culprit behind your hormone imbalance and gut issues might be glucose 👀
No one wants to hear this (I get it – I love sugar) 🍦
But this isn't a death sentence! I promise you can still eat carbs AND maintain stable blood sugar levels 👇🏼
🩸 First, let me explain. When it comes to hormones...
Rapid spikes in blood sugar can lead to insulin resistance, impacting hormonal balance, especially estrogen and progesterone.
Sudden drops in blood sugar trigger the release of stress hormones like cortisol, affecting sex hormone production and menstrual regularity.
🌮 For gut health:
High blood sugar levels can encourage the growth of harmful gut bacteria, disrupting the delicate balance of your gut microbiome.
Really low blood sugar can stress the gut lining, potentially causing inflammation and compromising gut health.
📊 Imbalanced blood sugar levels ALSO can cause inflammation and stress on your body, which will almost always worsen any other imbalances or conditions you have.
If you want to learn how to live a lifestyle you enjoy AND manage your glucose levels EFFORTLESSLY, my online program, Reclaim Your Radiance, sounds perfect for you! 💖
💌 Comment "RYR" so I can send you the details 💌
Yours in Health & Happiness,
Sheree xo
SHEREE BEAUMONT
Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach I empower women like you to transform their lives, understand their bodies and feel their best from the inside out!
POPULAR
WHAT’S DISRUPTING YOUR BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS? 13 / SEPTEMBER / 2023 SHEREE’S HEALTH DIARIES I tracked my blood glucose levels for a month, here’s what I found out: EFFECTS OF HIGH BLOOD SUGAR Energy levelsBlood sugar provides the primary source of energy for the body’s cells. Hormone balanceInsulin imbalances can affect other hormones in the body. MetabolismHigh levels of blood sugar can lead to insulin resistance and weight gain. Gut microbiomeBlood sugar fluctuations can influence your gut bacteria composition. The best insight of all: I still ate things like pizza and ice cream without it causing a …
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The Cholesterol Myth
THE CHOLESTEROL MYTH
02 / AUGUST / 2023
SHEREE'S HEALTH DIARIES
Why you should stop swapping your butter for margarine… and how cholesterol positively affects your hormones
STOP trying to lower cholesterol 🙅🏼♀️especially through your diet! It could be hurting your hormones! Let me explain:
Our bodies are smart – they know what to do (even if you eat a few extra slices of bacon one day 😉). Your body KNOWS that it needs to metabolise (break down) cholesterol. But it needs key nutrients to do so.
If we just try to lower cholesterol we end up just lowering our ability to produce sex hormones… And this leads to:
🩸 Heavier periods with heaps of PMS symptoms
😮 Losing your libido
💤 Low energy levels
🍕 Slower metabolism
This isn't a solution!
Keep reading to to understand why this can happen, and for what you SHOULD be doing if you've been told you need to "watch your cholesterol"
ABOUT THE CHOLESTEROL MYTH
Firstly 80% of your cholesterol is made by the liver, your dietary intake only contributes 20% to the total cholesterol in your body.
We actually need cholesterol to make our mother hormone pregnenolone, which can then convert into progesterone and then cortisol, estrogen and testosterone.
Cholesterol is a key factor for hormone production… but we need key nutrients to convert it into hormones, specifically zinc and essential fatty acids. If you’re deficient in zinc or essential fatty acids, then cholesterol can’t be converted into pregnenolone and that’s when it accumulates and becomes a problem for the liver to deal with.
Some great sources of zinc include: oysters, dark chocolate, chickpeas, eggs, pumpkin seeds and spinach. And for your essential fatty acids, try adding in avocados, oily fish like salmon and tuna, walnuts, seaweed, hemp seeds and kidney beans. Make sure you get those key nutrients in to support your body's natural breakdown of cholesterol.
We also need to make sure that we optimise your liver function (this tends to be where I start when it comes to high cholesterol levels), as this is the deeper issue often in combination with the deficiencies.
It is also why I don’t recommend cutting out high cholesterol foods like butter and eggs, because they aren’t the problem and they won’t be what makes the big difference in your cholesterol balancing out and you feeling more energised.
FINAL THOUGHTS
And if you're new here, hi, I'm Sheree 👋🏼 your new health bestie. I help women thrive by balancing hormones and optimising gut health.
Click here for more blog posts like this delivered right to your inbox, so you can regain control over your body and thrive mentally, physically, and spiritually 🤍✨
Yours in Health & Happiness,
Sheree xo
SHEREE BEAUMONT
Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach I empower women like you to transform their lives, understand their bodies and feel their best from the inside out!
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Cashew Cream Cheese Recipe
CASHEW CREAM CHEESE RECIPE
14 / JUNE / 2023
SHEREE'S HEALTH DIARIES
Prep Time: 4 hours
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 2 minutes
Yields: 2 - 3 cups
This has to be one of my favourite toppings for toast or my hormone loving bread. It’s a crowd favourite and also goes super well on platters.
INGREDIENTS
- 100g raw cashews (roughly chopped)
- 30mL unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 2 - 3 tbsp. lemon juice
- Pinch of salt flakes
METHOD
- Place cashews in a bowl of water and leave to soak for at least 4 hours
- Once soft drain the cashews and place them into a food processor with the rest of the ingredients
- Pulse until smooth, creamy consistency, add more almond milk if necessary
As always, if you do make this, be sure to tag me on social media @shereehannahwellness and let me know what you think :)
ENJOY!
Yours in Health,
Sheree xo
SHEREE BEAUMONT
Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach I empower women like you to transform their lives, understand their bodies and feel their best from the inside out!
POPULAR
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Is Sugar Really That Bad For You
IS SUGAR REALLY THAT BAD FOR YOU?
19 / APRIL / 2023
SHEREE'S HEALTH DIARIES
Sugar is such a controversial topic in the health and wellness world. The truth is, sugar is sugar, regardless of its form or name (IMO). And consuming too much sugar can have a detrimental effect on our gut health, leading to digestive issues and inflammation in the body.
Unfortunately, there are many different names for sugar, which makes it difficult to identify in the ingredient list of food products. Common names for sugar include agave, cane, caramel, maple syrup, and coconut sugar. However, it's important to understand that they all contain a high amount of fructose, which can be damaging to our bodies in excess.
Consuming too much sugar can cause an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in our gut, leading to inflammation and a weakened immune system. This is why it's crucial to be mindful of our sugar intake and choose whole, natural foods that are low in added sugars. By understanding the various names for sugar and being more mindful of our food choices, we can take control of our gut health and overall wellbeing.
ADDICTION TO SUGAR
Did you know that sugar can be more addictive than cocaine? It's true! When we consume sugar, our brains release dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This flood of dopamine can create a feeling of euphoria, which can lead to cravings for more sugar. Studies have shown that sugar activates the same areas of the brain as drugs of abuse, such as cocaine and heroin. In fact, in one study, rats were given the choice between sugar water and cocaine, and they chose the sugar water every time. This suggests that sugar may be even more rewarding and addictive than cocaine. Crazy right!?
But the problem with sugar addiction goes beyond just cravings and pleasure. Over time, consuming too much sugar can lead to a host of health problems, such as hormonal imbalances, bacterial overgrowths in the gut, poor sleep, lethargy and fatigue, as well as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. By reducing your sugar consumption and making healthier choices, you can improve your overall health and wellbeing.
INCREASED SUGAR CONSUMPTION + WHAT YOU CAN DO
This may surprise you, but you could be consuming more than 35 kilograms (77 pounds) of sugar per year without even realising it! Statistics suggest that as recently as 100 years ago, the average person only ate around 1 kilogram (2 pounds) of sugar per year. Now, it is reported to be about 35 kilograms (77 pounds) per person, per year! That is 35 times more sugar than what our (great) grandparents were eating, and it's unlikely that the increase is from an extra consumption in vegetable intake.
The increase in sugar consumption is mainly due to hidden sugars, processed sugars, and overconsumption of them. The condiments from the grocery store, tinned foods, and even bread sometimes contain added sugars. This is why it's so important to learn the balance when it comes to sugar, as you may be consuming far more than you realise.
If you want to detox your body from sugar and support your body in sleeping better, increased energy, improved moods, more balanced hormones, and a happier gut, join me in the 30-day sugar-free sprint. This program can help you reduce your sugar intake and improve your overall health and wellbeing. Check out the link here for all the details.
SHEREE BEAUMONT
Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach I empower women like you to transform their lives, understand their bodies and feel their best from the inside out!
POPULAR
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Blood Sugar Balancing Smoothie Recipe
BLOOD SUGAR BALANCING SMOOTHIE RECIPE
9 / MARCH / 2022
SHEREE'S HEALTH DIARIES
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minutes
Total Time: 6 minutes
Yields: 1 servings
If you’ve been following me or my content for awhile now, you will know how many times I say this, but for those who are new, or need to hear it again…
The key to balancing your HORMONES starts with balancing your blood sugars!
Which is why this is one of my favourite smoothies for breakfast or an afternoon stack, the times of day that let’s face it, as women, we tend to skip or reach for something quick and easy!
So, to save you the time and hassle, I have made this quick and easy, AND balancing for your body!
INGREDIENTS
- ¼ tsp. cinnamon
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I use @mitchells.nz bone broth protein powder)
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 1 tbsp. almond butter
- ½ medium banana
METHOD
- Put all the ingredients into a blender and blitz until a smooth or desired consistency is reached.
As always, if you do make this, be sure to tag me on social media @shereehannahwellness and let me know what you think :)
ENJOY!
Yours in Health,
Sheree xo
SHEREE BEAUMONT
Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach I empower women like you to transform their lives, understand their bodies and feel their best from the inside out!
POPULAR
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