1. Choose Sea Vs. Salt, And Fruit (Organic, Skin On) Vs. Sugar
We need dietary salt from natural sources; too much or too little salt can cause fatigue, overeating and cravings for animal protein. However, with the availability of good quality sea salt, miso paste, tamari soy sauce and natural pickles, it’s quite easy to overdose. Thirst and a craving for sweet foods usually indicates excess dietary salt. The waiter may sell you one less drink, but their loss is your gain. Simple sugars result in falling blood sugar. This stimulates a need for more sugar and the cycle continues. Though fruit is a simple sugar, fruit instead of sugar is a good first step. Eat the skin of the fruit as well since fiber slows blood sugar elevation. If you require sweeteners, choose agave nectar, barley malt or rice syrup, with occasional maple syrup, versus sugar, fake sugar, or corn syrup.

2. Eat Less Animal Protein
Decades of research shows animal protein in our diets over 15% lead to a host of problems, from heart disease to colon and prostate cancer. Limit portions, eat less frequent animal meals, and choose organic.

3. Enjoy Natural Whole Grains
If your daily diet includes whole grains (brown rice, oats, millet, barley, etc.), vegetables (roots, greens and round vegetables such as squashes, cabbages, etc.) as a primary fuel, you’ll find you crave less sugar. Emphasizing sweet vegetables such as carrots, cooked onions, corn, cabbage, parsnips, squashes, etc., adds a natural sweetness to meals. Introduce some sea vegetables which offer much needed minerals to enrich your blood and stave off osteoporosis and illness.

4. Eat Smaller Meals More Often, But Not At Night
Overeating leads to fatigue and sluggishness. This makes stimulants like sugar or coffee more appealing. Eating more frequently will allow you to reduce overeating of simple sugars and fats. Pack a healthy snack such as an apple or some carrot juice. Eating to close to bedtime creates a groggy awakening craving the stimulation of sugar (or caffeine) the following morning. If your body’s digesting when it requires much needed rest, you’ll also require more sleep and dream excessively. Eat a light evening dinner three or more hours before retiring.

5. Exercise Often, In Moderation
Daily aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, biking, swimming, etc. will increase circulation and strengthen will power. Try to get 20 to 30 minutes of some type of pleasurable exercise at least five times per week. Stop to smell the roses.

6. Manage Your Emotions
Food indulgence, especially with sweets, is a convenient way to bottle up feelings. Sugar can consume you with sensory pleasure, temporarily providing mental relief from stress. However, sweets can reduce energy levels and mental clarity so in the long run your emotional coping ability is dulled. Furthermore, our many psychological associations with food can have a powerful influence. Beware of eating contests, movie rituals, familiar restaurants, college party memories, etc. that lead to poor food choices.