Dr. Oz: Shut Down Your Sugar Cravings
Dr. Oz kicked off his show by talking about how we can shut down our sugar cravings. The average American eats 142 pounds of sugar a year. That’s 1,463 bottles of soda, 5,855 cookies, or 1,894 cups of chocolate ice cream.
“Think of it this way. You’re eating the equivalent of Bruno Mars. Bruno Mars made of sugar. You know that can’t be good for you,” Dr. Oz said.
Dr. Oz talked about his special 14 day detox diet that will help you eliminate sugar addiction in your life through some simple dietary changes, like filling half your plate at every meal with slow carbs. (Melica / Shutterstock.com)
Our bodies are now conditioned to crave sugar. But he has a plan to stave off our sugar cravings in just 14 days. In that time, you can create a routine to reprogram your brain away from sugar cravings.
Dr. Oz: Sugar Addiction
Dr. Oz talked to a few women in the audience who had sugar cravings. Mary said that her sugar cravings are an obsession which prevents her from doing anything. Flora said after eating sugar she feels “like a kid who just ran from the ice cream truck.” Juanita said she craves sugar five to six times a day.
Dr. Oz: Eat Balanced Meals For Sugar Addiction
Dr. Oz showed Mary how to replace sugar in her life with slow carbs. He said she needed slow carbs, protein, and healthy fat in every meal. So over that 14 day period, Dr. Oz recommends you fill half your plate with slow carbs, a quarter of protein, and a quarter healthy fats. As far as carbs, we’re not talking about the starchy carbs. We’re talking broccoli, asparagus, spinach, apricots, grapefruits, garbanzo beans, lentils, quinoa, apples, and lemons. Mary was surprised these counted as carbs. Dr. Oz said these carbs don’t get converted to sugar so quickly, they’re low glycemic foods, and they have plenty of fiber.
Healthy fats include nuts, olives, and avocados. Protein should be from beef, pork, poultry, fish, or eggs. Dr. Oz said it should be from things with a face.
Dr. Oz: Eat Dairy in the Middle of the Day
Dr. Oz told Flora she should have dairy in the middle of the afternoon for this 14 day sugar detox diet. Dairy has something in it that allows you to rebuild serotonin, the feel-good chemical in the brain. Sugar has it, too, but dairy is a healthier alternative. By eating or drinking dairy, the brain will feel good about itself; therefore, you’ll feel good about yourself.
Dr. Oz: Have Salt
Dr. Oz recommended having a little pinch of salt on fresh fruit for these 14 days. Dr. Oz said he knew this sounded counter-intuitive, but a little bit of salt will help bring out the natural sweetness of the fruits. Dr. Oz said you should take it a little bit at a time, though, so you don’t become a salt addict.
shawn says
I have diabetes and I know I’m not supposed to eat junk I have a sugar and carb addiction I’m killing myself. Please help me