Sugar Cravings and “Carbohydrate Addiction”

Sugar cravings can be caused by the high rises and rapid drops in your blood sugar which occur when you eat any refined carbohydrates, not just sugar. Refined carbohydrates are the foods made with any of the sugars and starches that have been extracted or removed from their whole-plant sources.

Try eliminating all flour products (bread, pasta, bakery products) and other refined grains (white rice, tortillas or other refined corn products) and cereals made with refined grains. Eat whole grains at breakfast, lunch and dinner and for snacks when you’re hungry. Whole grains provide the nutrients you need and keep you full and satisfied for a long time, without sharp rises and drops in blood sugar.

Popular diet authors made many people believe that they are “addicted” to carbohydrates, but use of the term “addiction” should be reserved for destructive chemical dependence on substances which are toxic to your body. Addictions can only be cured by total avoidance of the substance involved. Carbohydrates are certainly not toxic; they are the most readily-available food source of energy and no one should try to avoid them completely. In nature, carbohydrates are ALWAYS packaged with vitamins, minerals, fiber and thousands of phytochemicals which our bodies use to stay healthy and fight diseases. These wonderful packages are called fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans. Humans cause problems when they take these wonderful foods and strip them of their nutrients and fiber.

If you are trying to lose weight or control diabetes, avoid refined carbohydrates such as white flour, white rice and milled corn; added sugars of all types; and juices that have had the fiber removed. Eat PLENTY of whole fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and other seeds: carbohydrates as nature intended you to eat them.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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