How I Broke My Sugar Addiction
I used to be so incredibly hooked on sugar…
If it wasn't in my ice cream, it was in my dairy milk, my "healthy" whole grain cereal, bread, candy. coffee, sauces and dressings, processed/packaged foods, crackers and more. Every time I would have sugar, I would always be left wondering where I was going to get my next sugar derived dopamine hit. I was addicted and it wasn't until I broke free that I realized how much sugar had a hold on me!
Once I got off sugar, I felt the freedom with food that I have been looking for my entire life. Freedom to enjoy whole plant foods without restriction, freedom to eat baked goods without feeling like I was sabotaging my health, and freedom to release from the grip that sugar had on my mental health, too.
Sugar can cause the brain to shrink and it can lead to small-vessel disease. When vessels are compromised, blood flow is restricted in the brain, causing cognitive difficulties and could even create the development of vascular dementia. In addition to this impact on the brain,
Sugar effects more than just the brain, though. Excess sugar's impact on obesity and diabetes is very well documented and another area that may surprise you is how your taste for sugar can have a serious impact on your heart health as well. Studies show us that the more added sugar we consume, the more likely we are to die early from heart disease, our number one killer.
Did you know? The average person eats anywhere from 17-24 teaspoons of added sugar daily... I am not even sure how people function like that...it's mind boggling to me now that I am on the other side!
Sugar occurs naturally in all foods that contain carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables, grains, and beans. But, consuming whole foods that contain natural sugar is okay! Plant foods also have high amounts of fiber, essential minerals and antioxidants- all of which help blunt the blood sugar spike. Since your body digests these foods slowly, the sugar in them offers a steady supply of energy to your cells. A high intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains also has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers When you consume sugar without fiber bound to it, that's when things can get a little... messy.
I want to get this clear: sugar derived from fruit is not the enemy. And if you don't have sugar addiction, then I wouldn't stress too much about consumption from maple or raw honey (tons of antioxidants), but the fact of the matter is that sugar is sugar at the end of the day, sometimes we just need to SLOW DOWN on all of it.
How I broke free…
I have some tactics that you can use to release the grip that sugar can have on your mental and physical health. These strategies have been proven to help and are also anecdotal and personalized to me. I hope they help you or your children if you find either struggling from this common issue. In no particular order, here are my strategies for breaking up with sugar:
I stopped bringing sugar into the house. I no longer buy table sugar. I also don’t buy coconut sugar, agave syrup, maple syrup, raw honey (unless it’s to make Elderberry Syrup medicine), brown sugar, turbinado sugar, or powdered sugar to name a few. Sometimes, abstinence is the best route when it comes to addiction.
I only use fruit to sweeten my food now. Dates and other dried fruits have become my best friend. I can bake with dates by blending equal amounts of the dried fruit to water and create a sweet concoction that can make taste bud satisfying treats. I also use dates to blend into drinks and I even make green sencha tea lattes by mixing the green tea powder (water processed decaffeinated for me, please) with 2-3 dates and hemp seeds with hot water and I am left with an incredible morning drink.
I don’t eat restaurant food unless I know what’s in it. This is another reason why sticking to healthy whole plant foods and cooking at home is smart. Typically, when you eat out, your food is laced with salt, oil, and sugar which can leave you stuck in the pleasure trap. Believe me when I say I now understand the psychology behind why we get so hooked to processed foods and it’s because of this combo that we stay addicted (and so do our kids).
Packaged foods are few and far between. If you actually turn the label around and begin to read what’s in your packaged foods, you may be surprised to find an abundance of added sugar. This is key to understand that even when a food label says it has “sugar” on the nutritional label, it’s the ADDED sugar that you want to steer clear from. If you read the ingredients, and it has a word that ends with “ose” or says sugar, then there’s your indicator that it in fact has added sweetness aside from the naturally occurring sugar in that food.
I detoxed! Detoxing from sugar is hard at first, but trust me when I say, you will feel better once you do. Sugar can really have a strong grip on you and your children, but once you desensitize your taste buds, and start appreciating the natural sweetness of ripe seasonal fruit and date sweetened recipes, you will be much happier!
I found foods that would satisfy my sweet tooth. Think nut butter stuffed dates, raw balls, seasonal fresh fruit, fruit leather, yummy smoothies, and even cupcakes. I love sweet foods, they are my favorite, but when it comes to sugar without any fiber bound to it, it becomes a slippery slop for me. This is why I make sure to satisfy my sweet tooth with healthy whole plant foods and I never feel deprived anymore. It’s a beautiful thing!
I hope you found these tips helpful! If you struggle from sugar addiction, consider working with me 1-on-1 or joining Holistic Mama Society for monthly recipes, community, and lifestyle wellness inspiration!
See you soon and be well!
Stace
