You can’t outrun your sugar addiction. But with these tips, you can beat it.
Sugar is everywhere. It’s in practically every food we eat, from sweetened yoghurts to the breakfast cereal we wash down with syrupy iced beverages. Though we know it’s not good for us in excess, it’s also so hard to resist. That’s because eating sugar lights up our brains’ dopamine receptors (the same ones that trigger drug addiction), making us feel fantastic – and eager for another hit. As runners, our sugar problem is even stickier, as we rely on gels and energy drinks (and sometimes just plain candy) to fuel and recover from workouts.
Sadly, running doesn’t make you immune from the detrimental health effects of eating too much refined sugar. The added sugar we consume increases our risks of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, and sleep disorders. That’s true whether you exercise or not.
Refined sweeteners “go right from your lips into your bloodstream,” says Kristen Gradney, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in the US. That forces your body to process carnival levels of sugar fast. “We get less efficient at this over time, which is why we become more susceptible to problems like diabetes as we age,” Gradney says.
That means even healthy people – like runners – should trim their daily intake of added sugar to less than 25 grams per day, as recommended by the World Health Organisation. (No need to avoid naturally sweet, whole foods, which have water, fibre, and/or protein that slow sugar’s path into your system.) New food labeling guidelines scheduled to take effect in 2020 will list added sugar, making it easier to track. Until then, runners can quell the sugar flood and help break a not-so-sweet habit with these strategies.
Sub out foods with lots of added sugar (like lollies or muffins) for ones that are high in natural sugar (like apples and dates), which offer a hit of sweetness that’s lower in kilojoules and higher in nutrients. “Sweet fruits and vegetables might not seem as appealing as a cupcake, but they’ll satisfy your physiological need for sugar and make those intense cravings fade away,” Gradney says.
“Earning” your sweet treat can also help curb cravings, suggests Cornell University researcher Brian Wansink, Ph.D., author of Slim by Design. “You impose a trade-off, so that you’re not saying no to something, but you do make it harder to get,” he says. Want ice cream after lunch? Earn it by completing a chore you’ve been dreading, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Such negotiations cut down on impulse eating by delaying gratification. They can also replace your craving with self-satisfaction—you’re so psyched that you finally cleaned out the garage, you no longer need four cookies.
Mix sugary stuff with something that’s better for you. Combine cranberry juice with soda water, mix hot cocoa with unsweetened coffee, swirl a quarter-cup of ice cream into an equal quantity of berries, and cut your sugary breakfast cereal with with a healthier option. “You lower the overall sugar content but don’t end up feeling deprived,” says Gradney.
Single-serving packages of ice cream and cookies can enforce a healthy portion size and keep you from devouring that entire package of Oreos. One 2012 study published in Health Psychology found that people who snacked on portioned potato chips ate 50 per cent less. Just be sure to read the labels, because some packaging contains more than one serving. And keep your cache of treats out of view, says Gradney, so you aren’t tempted to reach for seconds – or thirds.
Runners do get two short windows of sugar-immunity: during and immediately after a workout, when the body metabolises sugar for fuel, and replenishes muscle glycogen for recovery. As for all other times: “The sugar that you eat when you’re sedentary is more likely to go to stored fat, once glycogen stores are full,” says Dr Kelly Pritchett, a sports nutritionist. And yes, you’ll get more nutritional value from eating pineapple or chocolate milk, but if Krispy Kreme is your guilty pleasure, it may be better to have that type of occasional indulgence take place while running, or within 30 minutes of finishing.
Studies have found that the first bite of any food yields the most pleasure – and that people who eat large servings of indulgent foods actually feel less satisfied than those consuming smaller portions. When you crave something sweet, try taking just a taste. “We’ve found that total deprivation just isn’t sustainable, because many people may inevitably fall off the wagon and give up hope for healthier eating,” says Wansink. By granting yourself the licence to enjoy one or two bites of a favourite treat, you get maximum enjoyment for minimal damage. That’s especially true when it’s a high-quality food: one square of exquisite, high quality dark chocolate can deliver far more satisfaction than an entire Snickers bar.
Many people are turning to “detox” plans that eliminate all sugar for 30 days or more. Converts say axing refined sugars improves sleep, cures acne, trims waistlines, and boosts mood and focus. Though not a panacea, smoothing out fluctuations in blood sugar could improve energy, says Pritchett. You also may break bad food habits and form new ones that are less sugar-dependent. However, “completely eliminating all added sugars from your diet may not be sustainable long-term,” she says
