My Love/ Hate relationship to sugar!
Ok, first I’m going to admit I am addicted to sugar. Admitting you have a problem is the first step to healing it. I have always loved sugary sweets and would binge eat if they were around. I would eat cookies, brownies, candy, cakes, donuts, ice cream or whatever was there. I honestly couldn’t get enough. But what I realized since I have cut most of the processed sugar out of my diet (I still eat fruits, honey, maple syrup and stevia) is how much better I feel for not eating it. I’m reminded of this if I do eat a cookie or brownie now because not long after I feel nauseas from the processed sugar. So for the most part, it just isn’t worth feeling bad for eating something sweet for a few minutes of it tasting good. I have noticed I have more energy throughout the day, especially in the afternoon and evenings. I feel better about my body, have fewer headaches and better looking skin because I’m filling up on real food like fruits and veggies instead of sugar.
I’m sure you know that sugar is in candy and sweets but the food industry has gotten really good at sneaking sugar in to foods you wouldn’t necessarily expect to have it. Things like bread, crackers, peanut butter, granola bars, yogurt and all the sports drinks are filled with it. So unless you read labels (I strongly encourage you to do this) you have no idea what’s in your food unless you are eating food straight from the earth. I have to say it makes me sad and angry that not only sugar but lots of chemical colors and preservatives are added to our food and are wreaking havoc on our bodies. I’m just not OK with this.! Not only do I want my body to look and feel as good as it can and I want the same for my kids .
Research has shown that sugar is more addictive than cocaine. How scary is that. The reason food companies like to add sugar to products is to make them “taste good “ but also to increase our sugar cravings so we will want to eat more of their products. I was listening to a talk from Ocean Robbins and he said 100 years ago the average American consumed 5lbs of sugar a year and today the average American consumes 150-200lbs/per person of sugar a year. This is an epidemic that is no fun to deal with (lets be honest who wants to give up sugar) but it is an absolute necessity for our wellbeing!!!
We still eat sugar at our house but I am making every effort to limit the amount my kids eat and make sure its as healthy as possible. For instance we will make homemade cookies instead of store bought ones and use organic sugar/ stevia (a natural 0 calorie sweetner) and other high quality ingredients. I try to really limit any candy with artificial colors. We know this isn’t good for us so lets teach our kids how to eat sweets in a fun and healthy way by making them at home. I have a friend who only eats sweets if they are homemade. I think that is a great way to have sweets in moderation. I think the 80:20 rule is a great rule when it comes to sweets. I know this can be hard. When there are birthday parties, celebrations, concession stands, even going to the bank my kids expect a sucker. So I’m trying to teach my kids to be mindful of what they are eating and the choices they make with food.
I know I can’t keep everything away from my kids but educating them and being prepared myself can help. If I know we are going to be somewhere where there is candy that I don’t want them to have then I will go to Trader Joes’ and buy lollipops or a treat I can give them instead. It still has sugar so I have to use it in moderation but at least it doesn’t have the artificial colors and preservatives other candy has. I want my kids to learn to listen to their bodies to make sure the sweet treat they are asking for is something they really want to eat before putting it in their mouth. Is it going to be worth a tummy ache I will often ask and from their view point it usually is. However there are sometimes they surprise me and walk away not wanting their body to feel bad.
Again this is a work in progress and I know it will continue to be for myself as well as my children. I hope this was helpful and inspiring for you. Let me know how I can support you in your journey to be the healthiest you can be, mind, body and spirit!
