Which is rather sad because if ever there was a time to pay attention to the wisdom of our ancestors, it’s now. ?With the state of the Standard American Diet (SAD), most Americans are walking around nutritionally depleted.

What does that mean? ?We don’t have the natural?energy to fuel even the most basic of daily tasks. ?We rely on artificial stimulants (coffee, pastry, candy and energy drinks to name a few) to get us through the day.

So what’s going on? ?One of the biggest problems is too much refined sugar. ?Which is nothing more than empty calories. ?I know this isn’t exactly the message most people want to hear mere days before Halloween, but maybe if you read this you’ll feel inspired to make a few changes.

So what’s the problem? ?Sugar creates the illusion that you’re full.

How does that happen? ?In the processing. ?Sugar comes from sugar cane or sugar beet plants which are stripped of valuable nutrients like vitamins, minerals and fiber. ?All that’s left is a white powder commonly known as sucrose. ?Most of us know it as table sugar. ?(I can think of another white powdery substance that’s not healthy either ~ did I mention sugar is addictive?)

Because all the health promoting properties are removed, your body has to use its own resources to break it down. ?Valuable vitamins and minerals are depleted as your body works hard to process the sugar you’ve eaten. The end result is consumption of empty calories.

What can you do? ?Here’s a few tips to wean yourself off sugar:

• Stay hydrated. ?Drink 1/2 your weight in ounces of water every day to help curb cravings. ?I know it’s a lot, but believe me, you won’t have room for candy if you follow this simple step.
• Use natural sweeteners like Stevia, Coconut Crystals, raw honey or pure maple syrup. ?These options contain valuable nutrients and can stabilize blood sugar. ?Use in moderation.
• Try taking 500 milligrams/day of Chromium. ?Chromium stabilizes blood sugar and helps curb cravings.
• Make sure you’re eating enough protein. ?Protein fuels the body naturally.
• If you really want a sweet treat, buy a raw chocolate bar from Not Your Sugar Mamas or Raw Chocolate Love. ?Raw chocolate is loaded with healthy nutrients.

Don’t let processed sugar “trick” you into feeding your body empty calories. ?The real “treat” only comes from nature!