Top 5 Ways to Handle Sugar Binges and Snack Attacks!

We all have those days when we become an eating machine, snacking on cookies, pastries, candy and anything sugar laden. Fortunately over the past couple years I've developed a few self-saving strategies to avoid sugar binges.

I was working on a commercial shoot and there was a food service table filled with every type of sugary food you could name. There were slices of cakes and pies, donuts with powdered sugar and chocolate icing with sprinkles. There were bowls of every color of M&M's, plain and my favorite peanut!

It was extremely tough NOT to eat sugar all day long. People were walking around the set with handfuls of candy ALL DAY!! Plus there were big coolers filled with every type of sugary soda you could name. And for the health conscious they had a large selection of sugary sports drinks and pseudo protein bars (candy bars in healthy looking wrappers).

I was great in the morning. I had a veggie omelet with some fruit for breakfast. At the beginning of the day, I had the will power of a Saint.

I did great at lunch too. I had a large Caesar salad grilled salmon with the dressing on the side. I had some fresh cantaloupe as a snack in the afternoon. I was having the perfect Low-glycemic fat burning day so far. I was burning fat without exercise on that plan.

Then, in the late evening when the shoot was running long is when I hit the wall. (Oh by the way, if you ever do any film or TV work, running long is a standard way of operation!)

So at about 5:00 my blood sugar crashed and I felt immediately irritable. Instead of eating some protein like the tuna or turkey they had on the catering tables, I innocently reached for an oatmeal raisin cookie. I convinced myself that it was healthier than the chocolate chip cookies that were piled high. That was pretty satisfying for about three seconds.

Then I had a break so I sneaked a handful of peanut M&M's. NOW I was in full fledge angry mode at myself for not being stronger mode. I was on the brink or a total sugar breakdown. I knew I had to do something to stop the damage and reverse the effects of my lack of discipline ways.

I grabbed a large bottle of water and started the detoxing process. Then I cut up an apple and started to eat it one slice at a time to satisfy my desire to chew something. The combination of the two was a perfect elixir for my sugar attack.

After about thirty minutes I had recovered and my energy came back, my anxiety went away and my self-esteem recovered and I could walk past a mirror and blow myself kisses once again.

Whew, it was a close one, but I made it through.

Sugar attacks will come up again and again. Here are my top ways to handle those sugar binges.

My Top 5 Ways To Handle Sugar Binges and Snack Attacks!

1. Shop Smart: Don't keep sweets accessible for you or your family. No one needs it. If they're not in you're house, you probably won't go out of your way to get them. Set yourself up to win. Be your best mentor and not your worst enemy.

2. Fruit Medley: Keep a variety of fruit in your kitchen. Whenever I'm craving something sweet I turn to my fruit basket. Eating fruit is not only sweet tooth satisfying but also great for you. Fruit smoothies work well for me.

3. Small Indulgence: Take one bite of something rich and satisfying. Instead of buying a huge candy bar, opt for one small piece of dark chocolate. It's good for your heart and rich on your taste buds.

4. Drink Up: Many times your body is dehydrated and you perceive it as hunger. At the first sign of a snack attack drink something sugar free and fruity. I love all the new flavors of Crystal Light. I also love gourmet decaf coffee. I will sometimes make a cup and use Stevia for sweetness to have with a cup of sugar free Jell-O pudding.

5. Sneaky Snack: Trick yourself into thinking you're indulging. Sugar-free popsicles, pudding, hot cocoa and chocolate covered strawberries do the trick for me. Try this recipe for chocolate covered strawberries!

I am sure you can think of many other simple solutions as well. The key is to catch it before your go overboard. Just stop it, do something that you feel is healthy and go into a state of forgiveness. Yes, you must forgive yourself and regain your strength and desire to get that fat off.

Don't dwell on your mistakes; instead affirm your goals and desires. Get refocused immediately on your goal weight and stay off the scale for a couple of days and do some extra cardio to burn off the extra calories. The key here is not to be a victim. Be a winner and know that every great athlete, dancer and artist has off days. Just get back in the game and move forward with enthusiasm and energy!!