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How to Stop Sugar Cravings w/ Elizabeth Girouard

Deep down you know that chocolate or cookies isn’t the best choice for an afternoon pick-me-up. Yet, you want to satisfy your sweet tooth or simply need a quick energy boost. And, you know how good you will feel – temporarily!   

Hi, I’m Elizabeth of @PureSimpleWellness and one of the questions that always comes up with my clients and in my DMs is how to stop sugar cravings!

It can take a long time to divorce sugar. Treats and candy (or other sweets) can be very satisfying and hard to give up. If you feel like you are addicted to sugar and/or processed foods, I have good news. There are many foods you can add into your diet to balance your microbiome (gut bacteria) and get your good bacteria back to a healthy place.

One great source is probiotic foods which are filled with the beneficial bacteria your body needs to re-balance and help you fight off cravings.

Some great sources are:

  • Yogurt (without sugar), including nondairy coconut yogurt
  • Cheese made from raw milk
  • Sauerkraut (refrigerated, non-pasteurized) – Bubbies is a well-known brand
  • Pickles (refrigerated, non-pasteurized) – Bubbies is a well-known brand
  • Kefir, without added sugar (fermented milk drink)
  • Kombucha (effervescent cultured drink)
  • Kimchi (spicy Korean condiment)

Adding just one to three servings a day of the right probiotic foods will feed and nurture your healthy gut bacteria. 

Food Swaps for Popular Cravings

Another of my favorite ways to combat cravings is to crowd in healthier options and crowd out less healthy foods. For example:

If you’re craving potato chips… Try some raw carrot or celery sticks or dried seaweed snacks instead for that crunch.

If you’re craving soda… Try some sparkling water such as La Croix or SpinDrift. There are so many flavors to choose from; you’re bound to find one you love. My personal favorite is Melon-Pomelo (aka Melon-Pink Grapefruit).

If you’re craving a milkshake… Try a green smoothie instead to quench your desire for something cold and sweet. Raw cacao in a green smoothie provides the perfect fix for your chocolate cravings – and it adds fiber and magnesium as well! Check out one of my all-time favorite chocolate smoothie recipes here.

For even more delicious swaps get your FREE Guilt-Free Snack Guide filled with 40+ delicious, easy, and satisfying snacks! The guide is broken down craving category so you always have fresh ideas when the craving strikes. Grab your copy here: https://bit.ly/pswsnackguide

Whenever you eat, strive to follow the health eating blueprint which includes protein, healthy fat and fiber at each meal and snack. This will keep you satiated throughout the day and keep your blood sugar more stable.

Happy Snacking!

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Katie is a passionate mover who was brought to Pilates through dance. After a professional dance career, Katie discovered her love of teaching-connecting the mind and body, and working with students of all ages and levels. Her appreciation and understanding of everyone’s ever changing body and needs only became greater as her own body went through pre and post natal stages, an experience which has helped Katie navigate problem solving, and bring a freshness to each session making them feel personal and specific to each body’s needs. Her sessions are full of flow and aim to challenge clients with a sense of comfort, and often a little humor, all of which she has brought to Pure Pilates since 2016. Katie thinks the gift of movement and self care is one of the best things one can do for overall wellness, and is thrilled to seek and fulfill milestones and goals with each of her clients. When she’s not at the studio, Katie is taking care of her three little humans- another job that also makes her smile, laugh, and challenges her on the daily.
Eighteen years ago I discovered my love for Pilates. After having my two children, I felt the need to move my body again. At the time I was living in North Carolina, and worked through many different exercise and training programs. I discovered Pilates, and instantly knew it was right for me. Forteen years later, and a move to New Jersey, I decided to share my love of Pilates with other people looking for some way to move their bodies. Pilates has also been a way for me to keep me strong and flexible to continue many activities. My family loves to be active, and I often find when we are all together (mostly vacations) our days consist of activity and movement such as hiking, kayaking, or skiing(more on this later). As I have gotten older I find it even more imperative now that I keep my body strong. Recently I was in a skiing accident that left me with many knee injuries and ultimately having to go into surgery. I found being able to do light Pilates a few weeks after surgery kept me sane and ultimately helped with recovery time. Pilates has not only helped me be able to keep up with my children, but has also provided me with a body that is able to function at peak performance. My approach to Pilates can be described in one, simple word: movement. Movement can help you, both physically and mentally. Movement, and Pilates, is ultimately about self care. Having a built in time to focus on your body and movement can help relieve yourself of feeling tired, anxious, and stressed. Movement awakens you. Even after one session you can leave feeling calmer and energized.
Enjoyment of life through movement is a vital part of Kathy’s philosophy. When not in the studio she leads an active lifestyle trail running, cycling, skiing and hiking. She also loves connecting with people while traveling with family and friends. One of her favorite cycling trips was riding along the coast of northern California. Learning new things and sharing knowledge is also important to Kathy. She has a passion for food, likes to cook for her family and experiment with new recipes. She is currently trying to achieve the perfect pizza. She is also an avid reader of historical fiction and biographies. Her latest endeavor is learning to play golf.
Carol M. Crincoli, owner Pure Pilates studio, has been in the fitness industry since 1990, with experience in corporate and commercial fitness, recreational programming and teaching as an adjunct professor. She began practicing Pilates in 2003 and received Pilates training through the PhysicalMind Institute in New York, NY. She holds certifications from the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) as a group exercise instructor, personal trainer and lifestyle and weight management consultant. She was also accepted into the IDEA-PFT Recognition System as an Elite Level Personal Fitness Trainer. She is the only trainer in the NY-metro area for Trent McEntire’s Arcus equipment. Carol graduated from the Boston Conservatory of Music with a BFA in musical theater and a minor in dance. Opening Pure Pilates is the culmination of a lifetime dream, and her mission to "inspire life from the core" is a holistic approach to health and wellness—from exercise and nutrition, to stress management and self-care. Carol is also the inventor of 8th Avenue Rail, an organizing solution for Tower springs.