LEARNINGS FROM GOWELL’S THE SWEET STRUGGLE PART 2

How do you go back to your regular diet after an indulgent holiday season? After weeks of eating scrumptious Filipino treats like puto bumbong, bibingka, fruit salad, and sweetened ham, it can be a challenging pursuit especially if you’ve developed a sweet tooth.

The good news is, it’s possible to still enjoy sweet treats and maintain a balanced diet. This is according to Dr. Ian Cadiz, Dr. Francisco Navarro, and Kirk Bondad, the experts from The Sweet Struggle Part 2 – a live wellness event mounted by GoWell, Sun Life Philippines’ health and wellness community.

During the event, the speakers debunked myths about sugar and diabetes, shared insights on why one can get sugar cravings, and how they can manage them. Here are the top five tips on how you can balance indulgence and your well-being:

1. Keep your nutrition in check. To maintain a healthy body while enjoying your sugar rush, it is important to consume a variety of nutrients as vitamins and minerals help the body’s functions work properly. 
2. Eat high-protein meals. This is the most satisfying macronutrient that can knock down hunger, which can also help cut down on sugary snacks or binge snacking.  
3. Stay hydrated. Hydration is essential for overall health because it supports various bodily functions. Remember to drink enough water throughout the day. 
4. Sleep your cravings away. Sufficient sleep helps regulate stress hormones, contributing to a more balanced hormonal environment and may lessen cravings associated with stress. 
5. Surround yourself with a supportive environment. Having a supportive community can positively influence lifestyle choices, making it easier to maintain healthy habits and overall well-being.

The Sweet Struggle supports Sun Life’s global diabetes awareness and prevention advocacy. Aside from mounting wellness campaigns, Sun Life has launched various initiatives in support of diabetes awareness and prevention advocacy. This includes hosting its annual charity event SunPIOLOgy in partnership with long-time Sun Life ambassador Piolo Pascual. The Institute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation Inc. (ISDFI), one of the beneficiaries of SunPIOLOgy, is a non-profit organization that helps to provide critical care for diabetic patients and improve its facilities, such as the Sun Life-ISDFI Nutrition Studio and the ISDFI-Sun Life GoWell Fitness Center.