Sugar Rehab

We love sweets just as much as the next girl, but seriously, enough is enough -- it’s time to put down the gummy bears. Empty calories and belly-enlarging tendencies aside, sugar suppresses the immune system, causes inflammation, and reduces human growth hormone, thus promoting aging and disease. WTF, right?? 2012 is definitely the year to kick sweets to the curb. Luckily, sugar rehab does not require night sweats, chats with Dr. Drew, or any of the scenes from Trainspotting. We’re here to make it as painless as possible with the following simple suggestions:

1) Try adding supplements to your diet, since cravings can stem from deficiencies of nutrients such as chromium. Chocolate cravings often indicate a lack of magnesium, and ice cream cravings can mean that you need more calcium (or Vitamin D, which your body requires in order to absorb calcium).

2) In place of traditional sweeteners, use natural varieties that are super low in sugar like stevia, which comes from a plant, or monkfruit, which is the latest and greatest of these natural sweeteners. While it is not yet being used in many products, you can try it in Arctic Zero’s dairy-free ice creams (the strawberry is our favorite), which are a godsend with only 150 calories in an entire pint.

3) Although gum has long been hailed as the best way to keep your mouth busy, we actually prefer tea, particularly those that do double-duty as a mild appetite suppressant. Green tea and most herbal teas work fairly well, but healthy fasting teas like this one (with ingredients such as red clover, licorice, and cinnamon) go the extra mile.

4) If your cravings seem to be tied to a 28-day cycle, take evening primrose oil, which helps to regulate your hormones.

5) Try acupressure. There is an appetite control point is situated just beneath your earlobe, where the skin of the ear is connected to the jaw -- massaging this spot for several minutes will help reduce cravings.

6) Instead of satisfying an urge with a dozen Krispy Kremes, experiment with recipes like this one for dairy-free cupcakes (care of Gobble Green), which are low in sugar and fat, yet delicious enough to satisfy.

7) While cooking, always make an effort to take advantage of low- or no-sugar flavorings such as vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, lemon zest, cloves, allspice, or coffee, all of which will intensify the richness of a dish without adding sugar.