Hello Day 3 of 2016!
I hope you’re having a great start to the New Year! And thank you for joining us on day 3 of the Cut the Sugar Challenge!
Today we’re focusing on eating regularly – so many of us don’t get this right! I myself have often skipped meals for some reason – either I was out with no snacks around and wanted to wait it out to get home and eat or I simply got focused on something and forgot to eat. I basically struggled with this since my late teens up to my late twenties (the time I got sick) so it’s safe to say that these unhealthy eating habits may have contributed in the long run to my failing health.
Now I know better – and eating regularly is SO important!
Food is energy + nourishment + food actually stabilizes your blood sugar! This is huge information when it comes to beating your sugar cravings. Often times – you’re craving sweets because your blood sugar drops and regular healthy meals and regular healthy snacks in between meals will keep you satiated so you don’t go nuts looking for chocolate!
Eating regularly also contributes to a healthy nervous system so if you’re an emotional eater – know this : You will fix a lot of issues if you just eat healthy foods at regular meal and snack times!
I personally eat 6-7 times a day!! It’s 3 meals + 3 or 4 snacks about 2 hours after my meal. I know so much of my health returning is from just being mindful of the time I eat (and obviously of what I eat). This meal time formula may not work the same way for you, but I encourage you to eat regularly so you stay nourished, don’t drop your blood sugar and keep your energy level up throughout the day!
It’s January and a lot of you are thinking of dieting! Dieting is not my kind of answer to a healthy life. This is a whole other topic which I would love to write about at a separate time – but for now, I just want to remind you how important regular meals are – do not go several hours (more than 3) without food with protein – your body, your brain needs healthy food throughout the day to function properly.
I hope you like today’s challenge and do keep it up! Join me tomorrow for another Cut the Sugar Challenge!
Don’t forget to join with the hashtags #cutthesugar #cutthesugarchallenge and I will be reposting my favourite photos on my social media!
Be well, stay fed! :)
~ ella
Blogger, Recipe Developer, Photographer and Author. Loves healthy food, photography, sunshine and dancing in the kitchen with her two daughters. 
Couldn’t agree more with this. I once saw a well-know nutritionist say you should never snack…she said she never ever has snacks and neither should anyone else. She classified it as over eating. I believe we must listen to our bodies, and if we are hungry then we should eat – this doesn’t mean eat empty calories like a pack of crisps or chocolate but nourish our body like it needs and deserves.
Nourishing Amelia | Food, Health and Lifestyle Blogger
Thanks Amelia for your comment.
I think that’s because so often we think “snacks” are unhealthy! Because snacking on chips, m&m’s, chocolate bars, and other unhealthy stuff is what most people do!
When it comes to balancing blood sugar – eating every two to three hours is key! Otherwise our blood sugar drops and hence the crazy cravings!
Of course there’s so much more to it than this – the type of food, portion sizes, how much carbs/ sugar vs protein and veggies etc. etc. …. PLUS it does not help if there is bad advice out there – no wonder people are confused.
Glad you’re here and taking charge of your own health.
Sending big hugs! xox ella
I eat regularly on weekends, when I’m at home and have time to plan meals. Monday to Friday it’s a completely different story.. I don’t eat much between breakfast and returning home late afternoon.. I think it’s time to change it :) Thank you for all the interesting info and tips :)
Hi Agata,
So great that you’re able see where you can improve. I bet you’ll be feeling better too once you incorporate some healthy nourishing foods in those hours. ps. That’s actually when we need the most food – because we’re burning it off the rest of the day!
It would be great if you gave us some feedback to how you feel in a week or two :)
Best, ella
What is your take on sweeteners such as agave, maple syrup, and coconut sugar? I’m trying to cut out all sugars and I’m not sure how to think about those.
Great question Anna! :)
It’s a lot to cover and I will actually be sharing a lot about sugars in detail soon – but for now I’ll just say that my sugar approach is that as long as it’s all-natural (ideally organic) and in moderation (which means no more than 25 grams or 6 teaspoons). So portion control is important and I think that’s where people struggle the most. Just because it’s ‘healthy’ doesn’t mean it’s good for you.
As for the specific type, I prefer the low-glycemic options the best. Like Coconut Sugar would be my top choice from your question.
But I’m not into obsessing either – but just being mindful of how much you’re putting into your body!
I hope this helps,
Let me know if you have any other questions,
xox ella