As a Nutritionist, one of the most common things I encounter is sugar addiction. It's no surprise. Sugar is everywhere and in everything. It's comfort. It's satisfying. It's tasty. It's highly addictive. We're brought up on the stuff and the problem only gets exacerbated as we age.
I have a big problem with sugar. Oh, but I'm a sugar snob. I don't eat those cheap chocolate 'candy' things or grocery store cakes. No, I like to placate my sugar addiction by feeding it only the 'unrefined' sugars. So, let the organic, raw honey pour, sprinkle on the unrefined sweetener, simmer up the maple syrup. It's dark, organic chocolate for me. And baking? I'm a really good baker. I can take any recipe and translate it into an organic, wholesome treat (complete with those organic, "natural" sweeteners). It's all just feeding the addiction.
Sugars hold on us can only be loosened by the removal of it. Think I'm exaggerating? Studies have shown that sugar is more addictive than cocaine. Given the choice between cocaine and sugar, rats chose sugar. Even the cocaine addicted rats would switch to sugar over the cocaine when given a choice.
Sometime, in the complimentary circle of care we get a little sidetracked by trying to help people replace bad habits with 'better choices'. So, you're not drinking pop anymore, but you are drinking juice in soda water. What's the difference? It's used by your body in the same way. It's sugar. Pasta, rice, bread, doughnuts, juice, organic this or that... it's all still sugar and it keeps you on that blood sugar roller coaster. Diabetes, circulatory problems, decreased immunity, PMS, and heart disease have have all been linked to sugar consumption.
So, here I admit that while I may not be eating the worst of the worst, I'm still including foods in my diet that are keeping me gnawing at the bit for my next sweet fix. The result is a lack of energy, irritability, and the inability to wipe out the candida in my body for good. I've had enough.
It's day 5 of not eating 'sugar' (in all its forms) and it ain't pretty. As the candida dies off, I've been feeling the strong detoxifying effect it's having on my body. I'm tired, irritable, craving sweets, and generally feeling quite sorry for myself. I realize that I have to change my perspective and view this as a gift. I have the knowledge and ability to change my health. I can age with glowing health if I so choose. I can be vibrant and full of energy if I choose. I can have complete control over my body if I choose. I choose.
"The Sweet Tooth: Defeating the Little Rascal". Great article with useful tips.
Update, October 2010: Getting rid of the sugar was the last step on our road to adopting the paleo lifestyle entirely. I realized, after many failed attempts, that not having sugars in my diet was a matter of simply removing the things that triggered my cravings. Stevia may be great for some, but for me it was like a little drop of crack to a crack addict. It just got the cravings going. Same thing with dried fruit or a spot o' honey in my cuppa' tea. Nope. Doesn't work. Along with removing those sweets, I took aggressive measures to include more probiotic foods in our diets. Fermented veggies and homemade kefir from raw, pastured milk was essential in my quest to get my body ecology balanced.
I want to be clear that we were not eating sweets like fiends. In fact, most people would think we hardly ate them at all. My concern is that I always felt like I was in a perpetual state of fighting my cravings. Even if my homemade treat was some nut butter in a date, it would have my hanging on, white knuckled for days after, trying to placate myself with stevia soaked tea (which would then continue the cycle). It was these cravings that kept me away from my physique goals and a state of mental and emotional peace.
Update, October 2010: Getting rid of the sugar was the last step on our road to adopting the paleo lifestyle entirely. I realized, after many failed attempts, that not having sugars in my diet was a matter of simply removing the things that triggered my cravings. Stevia may be great for some, but for me it was like a little drop of crack to a crack addict. It just got the cravings going. Same thing with dried fruit or a spot o' honey in my cuppa' tea. Nope. Doesn't work. Along with removing those sweets, I took aggressive measures to include more probiotic foods in our diets. Fermented veggies and homemade kefir from raw, pastured milk was essential in my quest to get my body ecology balanced.
I want to be clear that we were not eating sweets like fiends. In fact, most people would think we hardly ate them at all. My concern is that I always felt like I was in a perpetual state of fighting my cravings. Even if my homemade treat was some nut butter in a date, it would have my hanging on, white knuckled for days after, trying to placate myself with stevia soaked tea (which would then continue the cycle). It was these cravings that kept me away from my physique goals and a state of mental and emotional peace.
