Don’t let this picture fool you…
This isn’t a post about how to make chocolate cake. It’s really about avoiding the need for one.
I want to take a moment to answer a question I recently received on my Eating for Energy blog. I was asking my readers what they’re biggest challenges to eating healthy were and this is what Connie said and wanted an answer to the following…
“My biggest challenges are sugar and eating at night. I always get a sweet tooth AFTER dinner, like it’s not dinner until I had my dessert, what is up with that?”
So to answer Connie’s question, I put together a brief video with some really good solutions to helping you overcome the need for sugar and desserts. I know a lot of people who are in Connie’s shoes.
Hi Yuri,
I saw your video, and YES a cleanse does work. I had the same cravings at night, don’t know why I like to snack after dinner but I’ve knocked that out, so I’m happy. I did a liver cleanse for 3days and still continue to juice and do raw soups, I find I’m not craving sugar anymore or at night. If I want a snack I usually have a protein bar from Greens Plus, I love’em…
So I hope you can share this with others.
Have a great day…
Susan Lovelace
I can say today, from Sunny South Florida.
Hi Yuri. I enjoyed and learned a lot from your “How to overcome dessert and sugar cravings video.”
I have to tell you I do not eat right, at all. I don’t know where to start either. There is so much information out there, where does one start? seriously. I would be so very appreciative if you could help me out.
LISA – Terri gave you some good advice in her comment. I too would add that reading Eating for Energy would be a great place to start as it will guide you step by step to eating healthier.
Great Stuff Yuri,
I also think a good way to make change there is to have a little (as you say), of the bad sweets but also incorporate something good. The aim is to reduce the bad sweets with sugar in them and eventually replace them altogether. So, you might have only 1/2 of your usual serve of bad sweets and then have raw chocolate or fruit to go with it or dates or sultanas.
I think what you are saying about waiting is important too.
I have a friend who is a reformed alcoholic and he has major sugar cravings. How can I help him with this?
Thanks, Eileen.
EILEEN – recovering from alcohol is a process that I’m not an expert in. However, following a cleansing program may be helpful at reducing the candida overload on the system, and thus reduce cravings for carbs (alcohol included). Also, fermented foods and probiotics can help by introducing “good” bacteria into the body to eliminate candida and yeast-derived cravings.
Hi Yuri!
Okay, so I feel like I have the eating thing pretty under control…my only vice left is soft drinks. I know I shouldn’t drink them, but I crave them and frankly I think they are just a habit. How do I break this habit?
Thanks! Liz
Good information Yuri. I too was a sugar-holic and a night snacker. You bring up a good point about candida because I think that plays a large role in our sugar cravings. Also, good points about trying to incorporate as much living/raw foods as possible, trying to stay away from traditional junk food. Our processed foods that we are so used to are filled with high fructose corn syrup, which is addicting and keeps the bad cycle going. We need to steer away from these processed foods with all of the artificial and harmful additives in them. By doing so, this too will reduce sugar cravings tremendously! Just giving oneself time to transition and making healthier choices will make huge differences in one’s health and wellness. Don’t give up people!!
I find myself craving sweets when I overeat other food. Even if it is a vibrant salad or a green smoothie. If I can only fill up only about 80% in a meal, about the amount that would let me do some physical work immediately after, I don’t crave anything more.
I use to eat sweets out of habits, but since incorporating fermented foods (saurkraut) into my diet, especially at dinner, it appears to have removed my cravings, even in my young children as well. Also, i enjoy kombucha before my meals to aid digestion, thus supplying my body with the needed nutrients and diminishing the cravings.
Tressey – part of the reason for having fewer sugar cravings is that fermented foods are a high source of natural probiotics. As a result, they help regulate the bacteria in your gut and keep candida in check. Fermented foods are great and so is a good probiotic supplement.
How to download all the vidio so I can enjoy it and hear it properly. In my case I got it disconnected few words then it loads again and few more words.
Please do you have any icon to click and download all the video then display it again.
Many thanks
Thanks again Yuri. I love all your advice and support.
I have real sugar problems and I can’t stop at just one piece of chocolate. Honestly, for that to work for me I would need an automated dispensing machine that only allows me one piece every so many hours. I know it sounds ridiculous ! But I will work at it, and thanks again for always being there with good advice.
By the way, have you noticed how much you use hand movements when you speak
You ‘speak a lot with your hands’. You must have some good old Italian blood in your veins. 
Gennaro – Yes, people tell me that I talk with my hands. I have no italian blood in me but I’ve spent most of my life playing soccer with Italians. Maybe that’s the cause???
Yuri,
Enjoyed the video – look forward to more like this! Also love your treadmill trainer series- even though I run outdoors it has proved to be an indispensable tool. Your coaching has improved my speed greatly.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks Christie. You’ll also love the arsenal of new Treadmill Trainer workouts that we’re about to launch. Stay tuned.
@Lisa Picagli-Ueberroth: If you don’t eat healthy and want to know where to start, I always tell people to start by adding one green salad every day to their menu. A big one, though. Like a whole plate-full. With dinner is good. After a week or two, add one green smoothie every day. I have mine for breakfast and before/after exercising. After another week or two, I add some kind of fermented food like kimchee. Continue to add a healthy option every week or two until all your meals are healthy and you just don’t have enough time in the day to eat the unhealthy foods. For instance, I always try to eat two green smoothies, two large green salads, and a big bowl of kimchee every day and maybe a piece of fruit or two. When I eat all that, I really don’t have any opportunities to eat the unhealthy stuff I used to eat. Also, for great healthy eating options Yuri’s book Eating for Energy is really good.
@Eileen: A lot of people with sugar cravings have candida issues. I would suggest he add probiotics to his diet either through supplements or some kind of fermented vegetables.
Thanks for the great advice Terri.