Sweet and addictive, SUGAR is undeniably a pleasurable food. Lurking in many common foods, under different names, with dangerous health implications. Fructose, glucose, lactose, cane juice , evaporated cane juice the most common names for sugar, but the list can go on.
Although sugar advocates would like us to believe that sugar is a good natural food that provides us with quick energy. High sugar consumption correlates to increased rates of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, poor immune function, hyperactivity, tooth decay, nutritional deficiencies. Sugar is the root of so many problems that it should probably be sold with a warning that says “Sugar can increase your risk of developing cancer, heart disease, varicose veins, kidney disorders, arthritis, diabetes, obesity, migraine headaches, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.” The functioning of our immune system is also severely affected by sugar consumption.
Refined sugar contains no fiber, no minerals, no proteins, no fats, no enzymes, only empty calories. What happens when you eat a refined carbohydrate like sugar? Your body must borrow vital nutrients from healthy cells to metabolize the incomplete food. Calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium are taken from various parts of the body to make use of the sugar. Sugar is void of all these nutrients, consequently it causes the body to deplete its own stores of various vitamins, minerals and enzymes. If sugar consumption is continued, an over-acid condition results, and more minerals are needed from deep in the body to correct the imbalance. If the body is lacking the nutrients used to metabolize sugar, it will not be able to properly handle and rid itself of poisonous residue. These wastes accumulate through the brain and nervous system, which speeds up cellular death.
The first step towards giving up a habit that involves an addictive substance is acknowledgement. And if you think we aren’t as a society addicted to sugar, take a look at these statistics
- In the early 1900’s average sugar consumption, per person, per year was 40 lbs
- 1980”s average sugar consumption, per person, per year was 124lbs
- 2000’s average sugar consumption, per person, per year was an astonishing 200 lbs
It is very important to acknowledge that there are perfectly good reasons why you would like to make NO Changes- you enjoy the bagel in the morning, you like the taste of sugar, it helps you feel better in the afternoon, you enjoy entertaining and showing off your baked goods and expertise in cooking., etc.
We all have reasons for eating the way we do now. Acknowledge those reasons – it’ an important part of the process. There are also very good reasons for giving up the sugar-it makes you FAT…and UNHEALTHY.
You still think you’re not addicted? In that thought you see the tiredness that seems to demand sugar, the jittery nervousness of withdrawal, and the persistence behind the cravings. To prevent sugar withdrawl is to continue the addiction- that’s what we do subconsciously: by eating small amounts of sugar frequently all day long, by binging, by uncomfortable combinations of the two, or even through elaborate rules that try to keep the addiction within limits.
Any continuation of the addiction is both a constant struggle and BOUND TO FAIL.
The long term solution is to end the addiction. Healthy foods help to end the cycle.
The first things to taper could be the obvious, and perhaps one at a time:
- Soda pop
- Chocolate
- Candy
- Cookies
- Ice cream
- Bakery
Remind yourself that money spent on these foods is worse than wasted: it is money spent harming yourself.
