Feature Blog by Sponsor BMS Bootcamps

09/30/2011

Ladies, here is one blog of a series on fitness and nutrition by a great sponsor of MC Leduc- Kristine Rustand of BMS Bootcamps. Please check out her website for information on her kick-butt programs!

~Why We Overeat and How We Can Overcome It ~

 We all experience food cravings.  Often when focused on healthy eating we go through phases of making healthy choices with ease, and then at times a certain ‘something’ happens and we do everything we know we’re not supposed to.  Fast food, sugar, and overeating become uncontrollable.  This ‘something’ we refer to as Triggers, which are an emotional reaction.  Examples of Triggers include stress, boredom, anxiety, or fatigue.  When these Triggers show up, overeating occurs.  What typically causes these Triggers is a dip in our body’s serotonin levels.  When our levels are low, cravings for starchy and sweet foods set in and it is no wonder why we reach for ice cream, chocolate, cake, candy, bread, potatoes, or fried foods. Serotonin helps us maintain “Happy” feelings and calms anxiety.  Therefore, even a small stressor increases our need for these foods.   Having these foods available increases our dependency on them. Refined sugars are toxic and lead to increased insulin level which causes weight gain, stress, anxiety, a lowered immune system, migraines, mood swings, fatigue, cavities, depression, and inhibits your body’s absorption of nutrients.  What does this tell us?  If lowered Serotonin levels lead to stress and anxiety, which causes overeating, which again leads to more stress and anxiety we are virtually in a Lose-Lose position.  Its no wonder so many people feel lost, lonely, stressed out and that they cannot control their thoughts, moods and behaviours.

The good news is You’re not Alone and there is something that can be done.  Here’s are some Hints on Healthy Alternatives to satisfy Sweet Cravings

1.   Choose Natural Sweeteners such as Maple Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Agave Nectar, Organic Sugar, or Stevia and AVOID chemical sweeteners.  Natural sweeteners are gentler on your body and won’t cause your insulin levels to spike as high.  For baking recipes that include natural sweeteners, Google Clean Eating Desserts and great options will appear such as TheGraciousPantry.com

2.   Eat Fruit Instead of Candy.  Fruit has added nutrients and fiber.  Those with seeds or a skin such as berries, pears or an apple are typically the best choices.  Tropical fruits such as pineapple, bananas and melons have higher sugar content and should be consumed sparingly.

3.    Focus on Eating Whole Foods.  This means avoiding all processed foods. Processing takes the ‘Natural” out of the product and adds extras such as refined sugar, sodium, trans and saturated fats. 

4.     Add Sweetness to your life in what you do.  Do something nice for a friend like delivering flowers or a special gift for no reason other than because they’re a special person.  Take an uninterrupted bubble bath with a book, go for a massage, go on a date with your spouse, or play a game with your family.  Sometimes we find comfort in foods rather than in the people we love.

5.     Hydrate!!!!!!   Dehydration shows up as hunger.   Drink at least 2L of water every day and your cravings lessen.  

Committed To Your Success!

Kristine Rustand, BMS Bootcamps