Trying to Kick the Sugar Habit?

Drew Goldstein • November 23, 2020

 

Trying to Kick the Sugar Habit? Look no further than your Microbiome

 

One of my clients, Sarah, writes: “My stomach no longer feels uneasy, discomfort, or noisy growls! Since taking the probiotics and enzymes I have balanced my biome (stomach) and I no long have foul smelling toots! My energy has increased now that I know I am gluten-intolerant, as well as having the knowledge that I am sensitive to chickpeas. No more embarrassment! Andrea was so easy to discuss openly about my body.”

One of the interesting things about what’s going on inside your gut is the bacteria and the type of food cravings it can trigger. Your brain doesn’t tell your body what to eat; your gut does. It IS the part of your body responsible for dealing with food.

 The new science surrounding the microbiome provides many opportunities for developing products that can mediate GI function and thereby influence overall health.

 If you’ve ever tried to eat healthy but kept falling off the wagon, there’s hope for you yet. You’re not the one craving sugar and greasy food; it’s the bad bacteria that survive and thrive off junk food. 

Good Bacteria Loves Raw Fruits and Vegetables
Good bacteria, on the other hand, love those raw fruits and vegetables, etc. That shines a bright light on how healthy people keep on eating healthy without faltering. They’ve got bacteria on their side.



 Bacteria are far more genetically diverse than humans, meaning they can be programmed and reprogrammed with ease, reacting immediately to stimuli. Bacteria have genes that can be flipped on and off through various stimuli, like interaction with each other, metabolites, toxins, exercise and diet.

 What this means for you is, if you can get your gut microbiome happy, you can not only be super healthy, you can put an end to those food cravings. Is the food you crave healthy for you? You can stick with the dietary lifestyle you know you should. You just need to reprogram your gut first. Then you crave the things that balance your body, that are good for you.


 Great Alternatives to Sugar


Whether it brings you joy or you just plain have a hankering for something sweet now and then, you can indulge without resorting to cane sugar or equally harmful artificial sweeteners, such as Equal (aspartame), Splenda (Sucralose), .

  • Honey - Honey is sweet and contains actual nutrients, like antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. It’s easy for your body to digest. For every 1 cup of sugar, substitute 1/2 to 2/3 cup honey.
  • Monk Fruit - It has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine as a cold and digestive aid, and now it is also being used to sweeten foods and beverages. It contains zero calories and has no negative impact on your gut.
  • Stevia - Another zero calorie sweetener, stevia has been around for approximately 1,000 years. It doesn’t raise blood sugar levels and it’s available in liquid, granule and powder form.
  • Xylitol – This is a great substitute for sugar in baked goods. Use it cup for cup the same as sugar.


 
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