Let’s face it, it’s unlikely that your break up with sugar is going to be amicable. In fact, sugar will do all it can to entice you back into a dark and toxic relationship.

And that is not what you want is it? You want to be the boss of sugar, not the other way around, right? You want more energy sustenance and vitality, don’t you? And I know you want to be more calm and balanced versus bouncing up and down like a yoyo.

Well until you break off your relationship with sugar it’s going to be pretty darn difficult to achieve any of that. And yes, I’ve got cool 10 top tips for you, however if you don’t do the emotional work guess what? Sugar’s gonna sneak back in the back door and before you know it you will be right back where you started.

So, before you start to put any of these steps in place, it’s time to give yourself permission to have a different relationship with sugar! I need you to remind yourself daily that you’re allowed to do this.

The Facts

Because I want you go to into this with open eyes, here’s a few facts to help you reframe your relationship with sugar:

• Sugar is more addictive than cocaine
• 1/3 of the average Aussie’s sugar intake comes from soft drinks, sports drinks and fruit and vegetable juices
• On average Aussie’s consume 60gms of sugar a day which = 14 teaspoons of sugar
• Teen males peak out at 18 teaspoons a day! What makes this one extra alarming is teen habits can follow us into adulthood.
• Smoothies can contain 30g of sugar while a large fruit juice can max out at a whopping 60g per 500mil. And fruit yoghurt has around 30gm – that’s 7 teaspoons of sugar!
• If you’re into processed cakes, muffins and lollies you can be inhaling almost 20 teaspoons of sugar a day!
• Sugar has many names – here are just a few: Disaccharides, Lactose, Maltose, and Sucrose.
• 25g of sugar is the recommended daily dose!

The Process

Now if you are ready to break up with sugar, start by taking these ten steps:

• Cut out all soft drinks, sports and energy drinks and fruit juices and drink more filtered water.
• Change the way you think about and processed ‘food’. Stop referring to them as food and see them as imposters. Change the dynamic in the relationship.
• Detox your pantry – get rid of sugar and processed foods to remove the temptation of reaching for them when you’re triggered.
• Reflect on why you turn to sugar – are you getting enough sweetness in your life?
• Think ahead and make sure you have some good wholesome alternatives foods to snack on such as berries, carrots, celery, nut butters, dates and nuts for when cravings arise.
• Help reduce your cravings by exercising regularly.
• Increase clean protein and fats.
• Talk to a friend and see if they will join you to help keep each other accountable.
• Be kind to yourself and find ways to celebrate success without sugar.
• Get help to identify nutritional deficiencies.

More Options

• Cut out gluten, dairy and grains for a month and keep a food diary while doing so.
• Set an exercise regime for 30 days and make notes in your journal about how you feel throughout the process.
• See a recommended naturopath, herbalist, iridologist, acupuncturist, kinesiologist for a complete checkup.
• Make dates with yourself regularly where you check in on your emotional health. Ask yourself questions like:
  • How kind was I to me today?
  • What else could I do to take better care of me?
  • What does self-care mean to me and how can I get better at it?

It’s time for you. Go for it.