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Hello, I am Brittany, and I am a sugar-holic.
Just a little leads to a lot! For valid reasons, sugar is extremely and annoyingly addictive. But, unlike many other substances considered addictive, this one is not illegal and readily available, in outrageous quantities, EVERYWHERE! So, what is an addict like me supposed to do?
First of all, I know I am not alone, so I am asking you to join me in my fight against the dangerous, deadly, but irresistibly tasty drug, sugar. Yes, I said deadly, but not to seem like an over-the-top health enthusiast. Though, I am a highly credentialed personal fitness trainer, whose occupation is to help others achieve better health, I promote a realistic, happy balance for overall wellness. That being said, I believe food should be savored and enjoyed. However, it is blatantly obvious that overly obsessing over food, or eating it uncontrollably, can result in a lot of damage we do not want. Obesity, often from an inefficient balance between energy (food intake) and energy expenditure (physical activity), increases risks for a myriad of deadly health issues and decreased quality of life. Just like the results of other drug addictions but becoming worse (if you take a look at the top causes of death), right? But, you may ask, what in sugar, other than the taste makes it equally as addictive, or more addictive than, other substances. Sugar affects the hormones in our brain that makes us feel good like street drugs do. And, to make it worse, sugar can interfere with our brain's ability to control how much we eat, so once we trigger the "feel-good" hormone release, we keep eating it until we eventually break ourselves from it and feel like CRAP. Also, it is not just the foods we consider "sweets" that are drowning in sugar. Simple sugars, or simple carbohydrates, like chips, fries, most breads, crackers and starchy foods have the same effect. You may think you can cut out the sugar by replacing it with artificial sweeteners, but they are usually chemically altered to make our taste receptors overly sensitive to that sweet taste, therefore intensifying our sugar cravings and even the sensitivity of other receptors like those that elicit pain. So, if you are suffering from any type of pain, sugar and artificial sweeteners increase inflammation and possibly our sensitivity to pain. Have I convinced you, yet, how terrible this drug is?
Sugar, in more complex forms, like fructose in whole fruits, lactose in dairy and the sugars in complex carbohydrates, usually in combo with good fiber content, are digested more slowly in a way that the body can use to benefit, rather than hinder, our health. The sugars that have been simplified and more likely to cause harm and addiction include: syrups, dextrose, evaporated cane juice and sucrose.
Finally, here's my request. If you can relate and would like to feel A LOT better. Let us join together in making a stand against sugar. If you have not tried to limit your sugar intake before, prepare yourself for a rude awakening. You are likely going to find that sugar is in more places than you expected. That being said, I like to promote realistic goals that lead to healthy lifestyle changes that can be maintained. Simply becoming aware of our sugar intake is a good, first step in a healthier direction. Next, are you willing to limit your intake of sugar and find healthier alternatives? If so, join me in the challenge to limit yourself to three or a few more (depending on what is realistic for you) servings of foods containing "sugar, syrup, dextrose, evaporated cane juice, sucrose, sucralose or aspartame" as listed in the ingredients (not necessarily the sugar listed in the Nutrition Facts as that sugar may be the complex, okay forms), per week.
Keep me posted on your progress and good luck!!!
