Have you heard that sugar is more addictive than cocaine?
It really is! “In animals, it is actually more addictive than cocaine, so sugar is pretty much probably the most consumed addictive substance around the world and it is wreaking havoc on our health,” cardiovascular researcher, James DiNicolantonio, a coauthor of a sugar study.
Around the 1970s and 1980s, fat became the villain (fat isn’t a villain) with more of it being taken out of food and replaced with sugar to maintain a decent taste. But, as illnesses and diseases became more prevalent later, even without fat, it became obvious to many that these sugary substitutes were truly the instigator behind these.
I was addicted to sugar!
I really was! I couldn’t say no to a cookie, a piece of cake, and I couldn’t pass by the sweet junk food in the break room at work without eating some sweet treat. I know this was one of the culprits that lead to my disease!
Americans are used to eating about 17 teaspoons a day of conventional sugar a day. YES, PER DAY! Food companies know that most of us are addicted to sugar and sneak it in lots of different products like sugary drinks, spaghetti sauce, salad dressings, bacon, breads, processed foods, and so on. In fact, you probably think you’re eating healthy with a protein bar. Well, read the label because there is probably sugar in there too!!! Food companies add sugar to make their products taste better so you buy them—they know sugar is addictive. It’s about profit and NOT health with most companies.
True, our bodies need sugar for energy, but NOT conventional white, brown, or fake sugars like corn syrup! We need to get most of our sugars from fruit and veggies!
See below for sugar content in some foods
Don’t be fooled by fruit juice! Just because it’s fruit juice doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Number one, think of how many oranges it took to make that orange juice. And, lots of food companies add sugar to it as well (Yes, they really do!). So, what I recommend is to eat the fruit instead. Why? Because you are getting fiber from the fruit!
How I quit sugar!
As you probably know, making changes are not easy. When I was diagnosed with MS I knew I had to make MAJOR changes! I really quit cold turkey because I wanted to get on that healthy train and get my health back as soon as I could!
I’m gonna tell you it wasn’t easy! Passing up those sweets in the break room was so hard! After about 30 days it got easier and after 45-60 days it was even easier! You know why? Because, I tried to eat one small bite of a cookie in about 30 days. GUESS WHAT HAPPENED? I spit it out because my tastebuds changed and it tasted like poison!!! It was SOOOO SWEET! YUCK!
My recommendation for quitting sugar
Knowing what I know now, I would have done it differently. I would have packed a lot of fruit with me to the office because it’s much EASIER way to quit sugar!
- Eat more fruit and bring some to work that is easy to eat like grapes, an apple, or cut up fruits in a container like kiwi, plums, peaches, or melons. (Get what’s in season).
- If you’re used to putting sugar in your coffee, use Xylitol (It’s made out of natural sugar found in plants). If you’re a tea drinker, a teaspoon of honey is better! Honey has MANY nutritional properties like antioxidants, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, riboflavin, and calcium for example (The list goes on!).
- Stay away from fake sugars like Sweet-n-low for example. These are chemicals—TOXINS to the body.
- Ditch the soda with sugar (and diet sugar—that’s worse!) Instead, drink club soda or water with fruit slices in it.
- Use natural sugars when you bake. These are my favorites: Coconut sugar, pure maple syrup, and honey.
Thanks for reading and if you want recipes for healthier (and satisfying treats or desserts) you can pick up my cookbook. They make great gifts too!
Adrienne
xo
#quitsugar, #sugarisaddictive, #sugaranddisease, #sugarandweightgain, #sugaraddict, #sugarsucks