Ever since I began eating cleanly more than a decade ago (no sugar, no agave, no honey, no barley malt and no other sweeteners, plus, no dairy and no gluten), I’ve been hunting for high-quality, nutrient-rich, dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free protein powders to use in my nutrient-rich Cacao-Cado-Chia-Berry Protein Shake every morning.

But this week, in particular, I’m actually surviving and thriving on Power Shakes alone, because I’m recovering from painful dental surgery, can’t eat solid foods for a week, and need ample protein to quickly heal my sore mouth.

So protein powders are on my mind, and I’m so grateful that in recent years, I’ve found plenty of sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free protein powders. Here are my current 8 Favorite Sugar-Free Protein Powders, which can help you get valuable nutrients that you might otherwise not get.

Frankly, it weren’t for my morning shakes, especially this week — when I can’t have any solid food due to dental surgery — I’d be starving or fainting. So here are the protein powders I like best. Please note that I recommend the unflavored ones so you won’t get any sugar, agave, honey or other sweeteners. Since I like all of these options, I’ve put them in alphabetical order. (more…)

Tired of having aggravating cravings for processed, sugary, salty, fatty sort-of foods or processed carbs? To get to the other side of your huge cravings, the first thing you need to do is listen to them, because your cravings can be your teachers.

You may be thinking, “Huh? Why would I want to listen to my cravings? They’ve only taken me down a dark path to bingeing desserts and processed carbs.”

But here’s the thing: To get to the other side of your cravings, you need to give them both the respect and attention that they deserve.

Here’s what’s interesting about cravings. They’re often smart—that is, if they’re not activated by environmental cues such as a brightly lit, enticing fast food restaurant, donut shop or fresh popcorn at the movie theater.

These days, I’ve come to respect my cravings now that my unhealthy cravings for processed carbs have vanished. (My sugar cravings have been long gone.)

Nowadays, the cravings I get are healthy so I listen to them. And that’s what I want for you, too. For instance:

• Sometimes I eat at strange times. For instance, today, I craved a lunch-like snack at 10 am. (My body evidently needed lunch early.)
• Then, from time to time, when I’m at Whole Foods, I crave Mom’s Chicken Soup—that’s actually the name—but I want no other foods. No salads. No vegetables. All I want is the soup. (I’ve come to respect this craving which I’ve gotten a lot since losing my mother. Clearly, this is a huge emotional craving, which strike around various holidays or birthdays.)
• In addition, sometimes I really crave free-range, organic meats. Or I may crave the reverse—I want is a nutritious vegetarian shake with half an avocado, protein powder, chia seeds, carob powder, cinnamon and no fruits. (That was my strange dinner tonight. Well, that and a sugar-free turkey stick.)

So here are 3 Easy Ways to Listen to Your Cravings and to determine if they’re unhealthy or healthy.

1. First, when you get a craving, ask yourself: “Is this a real bodily craving or an unhealthy, environmentally activated craving?” If it’s the former, then you can act on it. But often, especially if you’re out and about in our junk-food jungle, you’re just being triggered by seeing candies, cookies or chips, then you’re having an unhealthy craving.
2. Next, consider the consequences of acting on your cravings. Ask yourself, “Will eating this [fill in the name of the food] nourish and energize me or diminish and deplete me?” Then go a little further. Ask your inner guide, “Will eating those chips, crackers or candies make me angry or upset with myself?” You’re smart. You know exactly what will happen if you let your dangerous cravings rule you.
3. Now’s the time to act on your craving, but in a good way. Ask yourself, “What do I really crave?” Your inner guide is smart. It knows. So ask yourself, “Do I crave a walk outside near nature? Do I crave a conversation with a good friend? Do I crave sleep because I’m tired?”

See how your cravings can be your teachers?

Share your thoughts. Let me know how this worked for you.

Does your diet look like the question mark to your left or the one to your right?

Now, take a guess… What percentage of your diet do you think comes from processed breads, pizza, donuts, buns or chips?

So what’s your processed foods figure?

If you’re like most Americans, more than half of your diet comes from ultra-processed foods. So found a study in the peer-reviewed medical journal, BMJ during which 9317 were surveyed, more than half of people’s foods (57.9 percent) are “ultra-processed.”

The researchers, who were from the University of São Paulo in Brazil and Tufts University in Boston, defined “ultra-processed” foods as: “Industrial formulations of several ingredients, which besides salt, sugar, oils and fats, include substances not used in culinary preparations, in particular additives used to imitate sensorial qualities of minimally processed foods and their culinary preparations.”

What can you do when your cravings are making you want to gobble an entire package of cookies or crackers?”

One of the most simple, but powerful strategies to prevent yourself from overeating, gaining weight and then regretting what you’ve done is to Delay, Distract and Detach.

Almost anyone (even your kids, under your guidance) can master this process. And always, an hour or two later and the next morning, you’ll feel so relieved that you didn’t cave into your cravings!

I first learned the magic of Delaying, Distracting and Detaching in 1998 when I kicked sweets and simple carbs on doctor’s orders. I used this remarkable technique again in 2012 when I got Crazy Cravings after the death of my mother. And to this day, I love this powerful process, because it’s so super-simple, effortless and darn effective.

Now discover 7 ways this Delay, Distract, Detach Strategy can become your remarkable ally to pull the plug on your cravings.

1. When that bag of cookies or chips calls out to you, first delay and distract for 5 minutes, then 10 minutes. Soon, you’ll be able to detach from your craving and realize that you really don’t want to stuff your face with cookies or chips; you’d much rather lose weight.
2. This easy technique allows you to temporarily ignore and then focus on what you’re really craving. Ask yourself: “Am I just thirsty? Do I need protein? Did I get enough fat today?”
3. Think about how doing nothing will make you powerful and in control. While you Delay, Distract and Detach, realize that you’re taking positive, health-promoting action by taking simple inaction.
4. Talk about a great time to do chores around the house or office! When you Delay and Distract for 5 to 15 minutes, you can Detach while you wash the dishes, hang up clothes in your closet or organize papers on your desk.
5. When a craving hits, instead of caving in, you can take some vital me time. Go for a brisk or stroll in nature or around the block. Talk to a co-worker or loved one. Or watch a fascinating 18-minute TED Talk. (Make sure no sugary, salty, fatty carb nibbles are on your desk.)
6. This simple Delay, Distract, Detach Process invites you to get in touch with your true feelings. What the heck is really going on that makes these quickie carbs so tantalizing to you? Are you stressed out, angry, nervous, hormonal or sad?
7. Remember that this easy simple Delay, Distract, Detach Process will help you take back your power and take pride in yourself within minutes! You’ll be so glad that you put off a short-lived, self-defeating, immediate gratification in favor of a long-term positive outcome. Trust me, it’s really exciting and exhilarating to feel in control of your cravings!

Now learn how to Delay, Distract and Detach.

(more…)

Millions of people are craving sweets and processed carbs and suffering from a blood sugar condition that just doesn’t get enough press.

I’m not talking about pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes.

Rather, if you feel moody, tired, or confused, you may have low blood sugar or hypoglycemia.

The good news is that, unlike diabetes, in most cases, you don’t need insulin or other medication.

What’s so easy about hypoglycemia is that it’s very easy to manage, as I’ve discovered. (My condition is why I quit sugar in the first place.)

So, take a look at the list below to discover if you have any of these symptoms.

Which, if any, of these symptoms of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar do you have?

Exhaustion
Sudden fatigue
Nervousness
Anxiety
Irritability & moodiness
Waking up with a “hangover”
Weakness
Faintness
Headaches
Difficulty concentrating
The shakes (when hungry)
Mental confusion (“fog” on the brain)
Crying spells
Depression
(more…)

You know how almost everywhere you go, temptations lurk in the form of sugary, fatty, salty, creamy junk foods and processed carb snacks?

There’s no need for you to feel frustrated, anxious or frazzled when you’re out and about in the junk foods wasteland.

Click here to get help in the exact moment your craving strikes.

I’m pleased to announce that you can now get a small, portable Cravings-Crushing, Quick-Start Guide to rely on when you’re tempted on the go.

In a hurry? Get your Crush Your Cravings On-the-Go Guide now.

Here’s how to use my gift:

• The next time you venture out into the junk-foods jungle, put this 4 1/4-by-6-inch PDF into your handbag, briefcase or fanny pack.
• Then whenever you’re at a supermarket, drug store or work cafeteria, you can pick one of three fast tactics to Crush Your Cravings On the Go™.
• Just take at least 30 seconds — or maybe as long at 3 minutes — to ditch your urges for junk foods.So why did I create this small Cravings-Crushing, Quick-Start Guide?

Think about it. Most cravings pounce on you when you’re out and about and on the go, right?

So right then and there, when processed, fattening cookies, chips or crackers beckon, you need to get fast, quick, super-simple support at your fingertips — especially if you can’t reach your best friend, sweetie or cravings buddy.

So let me help you now.

Just click here to download your small Crush Your Cravings On the Go Guide.

FYI, you’ll be sent to a special sign-up page and then you’ll get a link to a portable document (see sample on your left). Then, print out your Crush Your Cravings On the Go Guide to take with you in your bag and to rely on while you’re enticed by junk foods.

Remember, if you haven’t already, you also can get your free larger, 8 1/2-by-11 download here.

Now, when you’re on the go, just bring along your smaller Cravings-Crushing gift.

Again, click here to get your small, handy, portable Crush Your Cravings On-the-Go Guide.

Join the Conversation: Which of the three tips that I share did you like best? Why? 

When did sweets or carbs first call out to you? Were you but a child or teen when you first felt a strong pull to those processed “treats”?

Apparently, carbs first captivated me when I was but a child.

Indeed, about a year or so ago, while organizing my late Mom’s photos, I found this entertaining photo of me utterly entranced with this huge roll of French bread!

My goodness — the loaf of bread was about a third my size!

Ah, this image brings back memories. While traveling with my family in France, I so fell in love with French bread, more French bread, Camembert cheese and and also Toblerone chocolate .

Join the Conversation: What is your first memory about sugar or carbs? Were you sad or glad when you turned to these “treats”?