Thursday, January 6, 2011

The Easy Way To Give Up Sugar Or Salt Cravings


I just learned something that is so cool and amazing that it prompted me to immediately jump up and post this and Boris' painting, Kiss My Hand, is the perfect illustration for it!

Here it is: You know how when you are trying to clean up your diet and eat foods with less salt, sugar, etc. that you might experience the cleaner food as too tasteless? Well, help is on the way. It turns out that "your tastebuds are made up of 50 to 150 receptor cells that live for only 1 to 2 weeks and then are replaced by new receptors. So after eating a cleaner diet for 2 weeks, you'll not only begin to taste and enjoy more subtle (cleaner and more natural!) flavors, you'll also have less of a craving for salt" and sugar. (Adapted from "The Salt Solution" by Heather K. Jones, RD)

This has always been my experience with my post-holiday splurging adjustments, but now I know why. It helps to know that there is a very definite scientific reason why after a week or so I finally give up my cravings for the sugar or salt that I've become addicted to. Two weeks is nothing!

17 comments:

  1. nice picture!,Viva el maestro Vallejo!.

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  2. I felt the same when I stopped drinking coffee, too. Thanks for the post, Julie!

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  3. Yeah, it's just further proof that your body will adapt to the way you live!

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  4. Hello Julie, amazing master piece!!, Julie have you tested the IPad like tool for you art practice?

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  5. I'm frecnh, it's not easy to undertsand all, but i think i have understand... i have to give up sugar for 2 weeks, and mu body will not ask for it after?
    i would like to speak with you by email , i have many questions about fitness... thanks!

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  6. I believe this Julie! The first three weeks for me were the hardest when I stopped all sugar intake. After that, my taste buds rejoiced when I bit into an apple or a plate of veggies. I also discovered that after 6 months of no sugar, without increasing my exercise, I dropped 25 pounds and 2 pant sizes. So I ask, is sugar the culprit for obesity more than fat?? Great blog, Julie. See you at IMC.

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  7. Hey Julie, love your art and websites, could you do a post for beginner bodybuilders, maybe something that applies to both men and women getting into the sport for the first time?

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  8. To Ahava: Yes, that is exactly right. The addiction for sugar as well as excessive salt seems to go away after about 2 weeks. Someone we know who recently quit smoking reported that the urge to smoke left him around 2 weeks after he quit, too.

    to Kim: Yes, I would say without question that sugar is a worse enemy than fat. The sugar we eat is refined to an unnatural state and the body can't deal with it properly. Fat, although high in calories, is at least a natural food, so your body doesn't get so confused by it.

    For David: That's a fantastic idea and I will do it! Thanks for the suggestion.

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  9. Hi Julie!
    Everything you've said is so true. I've recently given up sugar so I can lose some weight. Wasn't as hard as I thought. No more beverages with high fructose corn syrup, just water with fresh lemon! It's habit now to check all the food labels and nutrition facts so I can stay away from that and trans fats. Also been eating greek yogurt everyday for a few weeks now, love the Chobani!
    Take care and see you at the Master Class!

    Catherine

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  10. Julie,
    Thank you so much for creating this blog! I just discovered it! I have been looking for advice on how to build lean muscles and eat healthier. I am an artist myself and my style is much like yours and Borris. Though I have just began growing as an artist, focusing on fantastical realism, I've been feeling as if I should look like the women I draw just because they are SO beautiful!
    Now that you have this, I am going to make sure I read your blog (as well as the other) every time you guys have a new post!
    Your are amazing (and Borris) and an inspiration to me!

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  11. Mis felcicitaciones , me encantas sus dibujos , los encuentro de una calidad excelentes .
    Felcictaciones

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  12. Mis felcicitaciones , me encantas sus dibujos , los encuentro de una calidad excelentes .
    Felcictaciones

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  13. Mis felcicitaciones , me encantas sus dibujos , los encuentro de una calidad excelentes .
    Felcictaciones
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