At the beginning of the year (so like 16 days ago), Chris and I decided to start the year off with a bang and nix out all the bad food we had been eating – start the year out from scratch. A couple of years ago I started doing a detox once a year, which really seems to reset my eating habits back to a healthy level of moderation. And this time Chris wanted to join in, which was pretty much music to my ears. Generally when it comes to eating I follow an 80/20 moderation rule (I don’t know if it’s actually a RULE, but for this purpose lets say it is) 80% of the time I eat only the good healthy stuff, 20% of the time (like the rare occasions we eat out) I eat whatever I’m craving. This moderation rule, seems to really work for me (I have no idea of its right or good, I’m not a doctor) but it keeps my healthy eating enjoyable and I never feel like I’m missing out.
Back to the point, since starting from scratch with our eating this month we nixed; sugar, diary, complex grains (and a bunch of other things, but we will stop there cause it starts to get a bit boring). Something that’s really helped us get past cravings and evening habits of not having snacks (or a glass of wine) is drinking tea. I’d like to take all the credit for this, but it was actually Chris who pulled out the tea this time around.
If you are trying to cut out (or cut back on) sugar (or maybe just some junk) try drinking tea with no sweetener, as a sub in for a sweet treat, a sweet drink or when you are out and feel like you need “something” but don’t know what (those are the times I usually reach for something junky) have a tea instead. I know with no sweetener it’s not sweet and in your head it doesn’t sound like a decent sub in at all. But if you aren’t having a lot of other sweet things in your food intake, it actually begins to taste a little sweet all on its own. Find a flavor (or some flavors) that you love, most teas have a natural sweetness to them that and flavors taste stronger when you aren’t consuming sugar, or maybe I’m crazy?. Mostly I find the entire ritual of drinking something that is just mine (like your morning coffee) really really helps kick a craving down and transition to not craving it as much (can’t promise that you won’t always crave sugar, cause I do).
Currently we are obsessed with: Sweet Rose, Lemon and Ginger, Peppermint and Pomegranate Green from Organic India
*not a sponsored post!
I love using tea to curb my appetite or cravings 🙂
Hey Brandy!
I’m trying to eat/drink better this year, too. What are your thoughts on coffee? I’m on the fence. I used to not drink coffee at all, but the last couple of years have had me drinking it consistently. (One-two cups a day…brew at home, black or with non-fat vanilla flavored creamer.) I recently bought some Peppermint tea to try instead…thinking I should switch over from coffee completely. I don’t crave the caffeine from coffee or anything…but I sometimes drink coffee instead of mindless snacking, life you said. It seems there are such mixed reviews on coffee. Just wondering what your thoughts are. 🙂
Hope you are having a great day!!
Love, light, and hugs,
Jessica
I personally drink coffee, one cup a day and I like it black. Probably not the best for me, but also can’t be the worst I guess. 😉
I love this! So funny, I’m making tea as I read this post. Mango green tea, to be specific. Yum, right? Good job getting healthier! http://www.circusandbloom.com
sounds great!
I’m also making more of a conscious effort to clean up my eating habits, and drinking tea is one of my new habits in 2015 as well! I’m doing it more to help me transition off coffee (which I was drinking way too much of in 2014), although I still need 1 cup in the morning, I now substitute any coffee cravings later in the day with tea. I agree that it’s a good evening-time treat instead of dessert or wine too. Although some days a cup of tea just can’t compete with a glass of good wine. 😉
Oh also, I’ve been drinking David’s Tea, which are amazing! They have so many great loose teas, yummy flavors, all natural, and a lot of organic ingredients. I have a local store by me, but I believe you can also order on their website. Just looking at their "tea menu" is fun! http://www.davidstea.com/ (I promise I don’t work for them, I just really like them haha!)
Oh we looove David’s Tea too, so I fully understand the enthusiasm:).
nice post ^_^ i’m motivated …..