By Jennifer Tardy

Whenever we eat sugar by itself — especially processed sweets — the body responds in a predictable chemical chain reaction:

  • Blood sugar spikes quickly
  • Insulin surges to bring it down
  • The body often overcorrects
  • You crash
  • Your brain panics: “Quick, more sugar!”

Your nervous system interprets this as a threat — not as you “cheating” on a diet.

And the more crashes you have:

  • The louder the cravings
  • The slower the metabolism
  • The deeper the fatigue

Again, this is not about willpower.
It’s chemistry.

Cravings are communication, not condemnation.
Your body isn’t sabotaging you — it’s asking for stability.
Once you provide steady blood sugar and consistent nourishment, those “urgent” cravings begin to quiet down.

This Week’s Challenge: The Glucose Buffer

Try this simple rewire to stabilize your energy and curb cravings:

Pair carbs or sweets with protein and fiber.
Think nuts, seeds, eggs, Greek yogurt, or veggie-based snacks alongside your treat.

Take a 10-minute walk after meals.
Movement helps pull glucose into your muscles, where it’s used as energy rather than stored as fat.

And here’s your mindset/NLP upgrade for the week:
When a craving hits, try saying:
“This is my body asking for balance — and I know how to give it what it needs.”

Micro-Journaling Prompts

  • What craving patterns am I noticing this week?
  • How do I feel physically and emotionally after I buffer vs. when I binge?
  • What does “empowered enjoyment” of sweets look like for me?

About Eating for Healing

Jennifer Tardy, IPHM, is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Integrative Health Coach, and Personal Trainer based in Lexington, South Carolina. She is an authorized provider for Optimal Health Systems (OHS), a professional-grade supplement line made from whole-food ingredients.

For consultations, personalized nutrition plans, or functional health testing, contact Jennifer at (803) 556-2593, email [email protected], or visit www.eatingforhealing.org

Jennifer is a IPHM, Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Integrative Health Coach and a Personal Trainer. Eating for Healing Nutrition and Wellness transforms lives through the power of holistic nutrition.

She can be reached at 803-556-2593. Her website is www.eatingforhealing.org.

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