It’s pretty well known at this point that American’s are sugar ADDICTS. Yes sugar is a naturally occurring substance that is vital for energy. The good kinds of sugar, and in the right amounts. Excessive sugar consumption is a culprit for many conditions including diabetes, alzheimers, obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol, and tooth decay and infections. Tooth decay in itself can also lead to endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy complications, alzhemiers risk.
Studies have shown that sugar can also have the same addiction related behavioral reactions as heroin.
Americans consume over 150 POUNDS of sugar per year. A big culprit to that was in 1950 the addition of high fructose corn syrup. So American’s are eating more sugar, and manufactures are making more unnatural sources of it.
Sugar tastes good though right? And makes us feel good?
That’s because it does create a boost of energy, and pleasure neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, and can soothe pain.
And because we like it, we are bombarded with manufacturers with sugar and products loaded with it. Like soda, Gatorade, alcoholic drinks, coffee drinks, energy drinks or “fruit juices”.
A lot of us don’t even really realize we are consuming it because of it’s hidden names in processed foods. Including meats, soups, crackers, bread, ect.
Here are a few master of disguise ingredients:
- fructose
- high fructose corn syrup
- dextrose
- fruit juice concentrate
- lactose
- maltose
- sucrose
What about the drink Gatorade? Yes, for athletes they do need some sugar to replenish, but they actually need more of the electrolytes, and actual water, less sugar.
This also doesn’t mean go “sugar free”. Sugar free sweeteners like splenda, aspartame, sweet and low, equal, ect, are what are called excitatory substances in research have shown to lead to huge brain disruption and cancer.
So, sugar free is actually WORSE than actual sugar. Don’t be fooled.
Break the Cycle
Sometimes, because of the addiction part you have to break the cycle. Additionally, when your gut health isn’t great, say you went on antibiotics, or your digestion isn’t optimal, because of all the processed food or hidden bugs, the bad guys (bad bacteria and fungus) actually feed off the sugar andsignal that addiction center in your brain as well as tell you to crave more sugar.
Remember carbohydrates are metabolized as sugar as well. So dead carbs like bread, sweets, pasta, grains, turn into sugar in our bodies. When we’ve reached that 40g we need the rest is stored as fat, or goes into inflammation.
Breaking the cycle includes doing a sugar detox. Start by at least just cutting out all added sugar. This stops the constant cycle in your brain. Then begin lowering your carb intake, and healing your gut. It helps tremendously with the cravings. Regulating your sugar will also help tremendously with your energy.
When you eat sugar or a high carb meal you will have a really big high, but then a really big low (hence that 2pm tired feeling). My 10 day blood sugar cleanse is an excellent jump start to helping you kick the habit. It uses some amazing herbs to help decrease your need and want for sugar while rebuilding and detoxing your body.
Research shows that you can actually retrain your tastebuds. When you cut out sugar, they rewire after a while, and even the smallest amounts of sugar will satisfy your need.
Here are some suggestions for taming the sweet obsession:
- slowly eliminate one sugar food at a time, so you don’t go into withdrawal (this is where the cleanse helps a ton)
- when you crave something sweet try fruit instead, or something with protein like lunch meat, nuts, unsweetened yogurt
- reduced processed foods and switch to whole organic foods
- add more protein and fiber rich foods, which will also make you feel more full
- exercise more, it helps you create a good habit, which will make you more likely to create a good habit of cutting out sugar
- set small goals so you feel accomplished
- swap out white potatoes for sweet potatoes(stabilize blood sugar)
- adding cinnamon to your food (helps with metabolism, also essential oils like grapefruit)
- Agave and other natural sugar alternatives also raise the blood sugar and aren’t so natural. Try stevia or xylitol as a sweetener, or a little pure maple syrup.
Instead of giving out Sugar and candy tomorrow consider these ideas instead:
- plastic jewelry
- fake tattoos
- accessories, like skull keychains glow in the dark sticks(always a huge hit), ect
- art and crafts like glitter stickers
- spooky school supplies
- terrifying pocket toys and games
- xylitol chewing gum (helps prevent cavities)
- other healthy snacks like raisins, nuts, ect. you can be creative. Be careful of “fruit snacks”, which are most the time just straight sugar.
You can encourage your kids to participate in Halloween Candy Buy Back, a national program that pays kids $1 per pound of sweets that are shipped to U.S. troops overseas.
Not that our troops need more sugar either, but hey..
Sugar consumption is not something that should be taken lightly. It causes a lot of behavioral problems in our kids, and a ton of health problems in all ages. You’ve heard me talk before about type 3 diabetes (alzheimers) which is now classified as sugar in the brain. Cut the grains, cut the sugar, live a healthy lifestyle, and most of all have a safe halloween!