Are You Addicted to Sugar?

Are You Addicted to Sugar?

I was.

And, I didn’t even know it.

That was almost 2 years ago.

Things are different now…

I pretty much live in this world where I just won’t eat food unless it’s real.  My 10-year-old son gave me a Twix bar the other day.

I said to him, “Thanks, buddy, but there’s no way I’m going to eat that.”

And there isn’t.

If you offered me $100 cash to eat a Twix candy bar – I probably still wouldn’t eat it.

It’s not worth it.  My body does not respond well AT ALL to that much sugar (which, by the way, isn’t even real sugar).

I have a secret that will work if you’ll do it.

Don’t eat any sugar for 14 weeks and you’ll stop wanting it.

Actually, it only takes 6 weeks – but I didn’t have any sugar for months and months and months.  Something happened when I stopped eating sugar.  I stopped desiring it.

Has anyone ever asked you, “Sweet or Salty?”  

You are probably one or the other.

My whole life, I would have answered this question quickly and authoritatively with a resounding, “SWEET!”

Not anymore.

I am sitting here almost 2 years after my sugar detox and I can honestly say that I am no longer a “sweet” gal.  I’m a “salty” gal.  If dessert is served after dinner –  I’d rather have seconds on the chips and artichoke dip.

It’s true.

I think there are a couple of reasons I changed.

#1 Reason I’m a “Salty” Girl – 

Being addicted to sugar is slavery.   I craved it ALL DAY LONG.  I would get my spoonful of Nutella and it would carry me for 4 hours until the next sugar crash and I’d find something else to feed my addiction.  I convinced myself that a couple tablespoons of Nutella were fine – I ate healthy otherwise…

Boy, was I wrong.

#2 Reason I’m a “Salty” Girl – 

I’m sure there was more suffering than my waistline.  There are all sorts of health problems that are fueled by sugar.  Eating it can wreak havoc on our health and our bodies.  Here are a few of the health problems associated with sugar consumption:

1. Sugar can give you cancer.  Multiple studies have shown that people who consume a lot of sugar are at a higher risk of cancer.  Not only can sugar lead to cancer – it feeds cancer.
2. Obesity – duh.
3. It’s bad for our teeth.
4. It’s bad for our liver (can lead to fatty liver disease).
5. Diabetes – too much sugar in our blood can cause insulin resistance and lead to diabetes.
6. Heart Disease – New studies are indicating that fat isn’t what’s causing high cholesterol and heart disease – it’s the sugar.   I’m a HUGE supporter of eating fat.  I eat lard, butter and coconut oil like a lunatic.  I’ve been saying for years, “Fat doesn’t make you fat – sugar does.”  Especially when it is processed, corn syrup or white table sugar.
   • “For many decades, people have blamed saturated fat for heart disease… which is the #1 killer in the world.  However… new studies are showing that saturated fat is harmless (27, 28).  The evidence is mounting that sugar, NOT fat, may be one of the leading drivers of heart disease via the harmful effects of fructose on metabolism (29).  Studies show that large amounts of fructose can raise triglycerides, small, dense LDL and oxidized LDL (very, very bad), raise blood glucose and insulin levels and increase abdominal obesity — in as little as 10 weeks”  –source

#3 Reason I’m a “Salty” Girl – 

I don’t ever want to get addicted to sugar again -because I don’t want to ever have to detox from it again.  It took me 6 weeks to stop craving sugar.  The first couple of weeks trying to break the addiction was misery.  I was physically sick because of the lack of sugar.  It was CRAZY.

#4 Reason I’m a “Salty” Girl – 

I am thinner.  I feel better.  I’m healthier.  My jeans fit.

I want to inspire you to give up sugar for 6 weeks and then see if you still want it.

You may not.

BUT…

If you do – there is a way to enjoy the occasional sweet-treat guilt-free.

Sugar-Free Cast iron Apple Pie

Think about what would happen to dessert if:

1. You used free-range fresh eggs. (mine are from the coop)
2. You used raw milk (mine comes from the cow in my front yard).
3. You used raw butter (I make mine).
4. You milled the flour.

Suddenly, things like cookies aren’t so bad anymore.

The result is a wonderful treat that is basically healthy food.  It has sugar in it, but thanks to the butter and eggs and flour it also has protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and even CLA (conjugated linoleic acid).

When you bake with fresh-milled flour, all of your baked goods are loaded with fiber (bran & germ) and protein.  This is a lovely balance to any sugar you put into the pastry.  Consuming fiber and protein (nuts, seeds, bran, germ) alongside sugar can prevent your body from going into a glycemic panic.

Are you addicted to sugar? 

There’s one way to find out… stop eating it.  Give it up and see what happens.  It may surprise you.  I had no idea how dependent I was on that little tiny bite of sweet throughout my day.

It is spring and bathing suit season is right around the corner.

I want to encourage you to give up sugar for 6 weeks and see what happens.  If 6 is too many – give it up for 4.  You can do it!

OH- and try not to cheat.  Don’t use any artificial sweeteners either (little packets of sweet powders or agave & stevia syrups).

Wait,  Why?

1.  To truly break the habit of “needing” something sweet – you have to go without.  By replacing sugar with some other sweet imposter you are still getting that “sweet” fix – and not really accomplishing the goal.  You can thank the WHOLE-30 folks for this little gem.  I hate them, by the way.
2. The second reason you shouldn’t turn to the ‘diet section’ of the sugar department is that there are all sorts of terrible things in those packets & syrups.  Yeah, and all of it is processed.  The only stevia I eat is the stevia plant in my garden (yes, stevia is an herb).

If you think you are going to die without 1/2 teaspoon of something sweet in your coffee you can use some maple syrup (the kind from trees) or honey.

But that’s it – no other sweet stuff.  : )

The ‘ future you’  will thank you if you do it! 

The first week is the hardest!

It will get easier each day.

You can do it!

PS – If you want more on eating healthy & naturally without “doing without” you should join the blog!  It’s only $5 and includes the world… OK, maybe not the world.  But there’s tons of great content waiting in there.  Go here for more info.

XO,

CJ