“Like heroin, cocaine and caffeine, sugar is an addictive, destructive drug, yet we consume it daily in everything from cigarettes to bread”
-William Duffy, author of Sugar Blues
I had my regular check up at the dentist on Friday. My hygienist knows that I have a degree in nutrition, so she asked me: “Betsy can you please tell me how can I get off of sugar? I think I am addicted.” I said “Jennifer, tell me what your emotional attachment to sugar is about. What is troubling you?” “Well for one,” she said, “I always feel I have these huge mood swings and I am always craving sweets. I cave in, eat it and crash soon after. I feel angry and depressed and I’m fighting with my husband and kids constantly. My family isn’t happy with me. Please help me. What can I do?”Here is what happens after you eat processed sugar. You get a sugar high. Sugar highs are blood sugar levels that go up sharply and then down quickly. Many people don’t realize the emotional roller coaster ride that accompanies sweets with its seductive flavor. We feel happy and then inexplicably, we argue with a friend, lover or colleague (even a boss). Manic depression is an extreme example of these sugar highs and lows.
Refined sweets, part of the sad state of the American diet, also lead to diabetes and hypoglycemia. Diabetes is when the body does not release insulin to reduce sugar levels in the blood. Hypoglycemia is the opposite: when one’s blood sugar gets too low, the pancreas cannot release anti-insulin to raise their blood sugar to the proper level. Today, half of American’s are hypoglycemic.
Most of us crave sweets uncontrollably. You are not alone. Many experience the mood swings Jennifer is talking about which also includes anger, tiredness and major binges. The “white stuff” is seductive and very sneaky, keeping you hooked.
I said to Jennifer “Here is what you can do. I would like you to start eating sweet potatoes or yams…one a day.” She said “REALLY?! I love those!” “Yes,” I said. “They are a great source of beta carotene and they have a lot of natural sweetness in them. Years ago when I was trying to get off of sugar, I had one every day. Along with that, eat lots of squash. You can have butternut, yellow or zucchini squash. I swear this changed my life. I stopped eating all sweets.
“Surprisingly, you can also eat DARK chocolate. It’s actually healthy and good for you to, containing serotonin which acts like an anti-depressant. It also stimulates endorphins, giving you the feeling of pleasure similar to when you are in love. Dark chocolate helps prevent heart disease and lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. Carrots and fresh fruits are wonderful to eat as well.
This is because they are sweet. Yes, they do have sugar in them, but it is natural sugar that your body can digest and absorb.”
Jennifer was so excited: “Oh my god, thank you so much. I can’t wait to start and I’m really excited for all the yummy things you suggested.” “I promise this will help,” I said. “Please e-mail me in two week’s to let me know how you’re doing. It’s funny because our roles are now reversed. I came in for a check-up from you and instead, you’re getting one from me. You will soon begin to see that you CAN get off sugar…the bad kind anyway. It won’t be long and you will be feeling so much better soon enough.“ Jennifer said, “I feel like I owe you something.” “Don’t be silly” I responded. “It’s my pleasure and I am glad that I can help you!”
As you can see, there are simple ways to get off sugar and become healthier. You too can start today, changing a few things about your diet and the foods you eat. Get ready to detoxify your body of sugar! Find yourself feeling better, lighter, clearer, more focused. It’s time to be a happier you!
No comments:
Post a Comment