When we think of an addiction we tend to think of the most extreme case scenario. Heroin, alcohol, cigarettes, crack, or just maybe caffeine. But sugar is right up there, in fact you might as well be tying off your arms because it is as addictive as heroin and can be just as hard to get off the stuff. It's in your food supply and your dealer? The grocery store.
If you aren’t already addicted, chances are that you probably have been at some point in your life. Now I don’t mean adding too much to your daily coffee or having a hankering for desserts. Yeah, those things are definitely a part of it, but I am talking about the kinds of sugar that aren’t necessarily listed or easy to decipher on “nutrition” labels.
Sugar is added to everything these days! From fruit juices, soft drinks, sports drinks, anything that is low-fat or fat free, and even baby formula (get them hooked while they are young I guess?). Of course, anything that is processed has added sugar, this is why fast food – even the “healthier” options – is contributing to obesity.
And no, Splenda and all the other weird sugar substitutes and alternatives are not the answer. They are nothing but aspartame or highly-processed crap (like agave nectar) that will slowly kill you as well.
So what is sugar? Not all sugars are created equal and because there are so many sugars and sweeteners out there it is hard to figure out what you should stay away from.
Let’s break it down for us science-y folks:
• Dextrose, fructose, and glucose are known as simple sugars. Glucose and dextrose are the same thing but manufacturers will put dextrose on their ingredient list. The difference between all these sugars is how your body metabolizes them. Glucose is the form of energy every cell in your body, every bacterium – and in fact, every living thing on the earth needs to use for energy.
• Simple sugars can be combined together to make complex sugars such as sucrose. An example would be table sugar, which is made up of half fructose and half glucose.
Are you with me so far?
In today’s world, unfortunately, fructose is the added sugar of choice, not glucose. This is a problem for a number of reasons: Our bodies metabolize it different than glucose putting a pretty big burden on your liver, and because we are consuming it in such high quantities the negative effects are profound.
Here are just a few:
• Impedes immune system.
• Sugar is stored as fat in the body (there you have it folks, fat does not necessarily make you fat).
• Puts a strain on your pancreas.
• Causes insulin resistance (Would you like a side of Type 2 diabetes with that?).
• Lets bad opportunistic bacteria like candida overthrow the good bacteria in your gut causing digestive problems, eczema, yeast infections and all sorts of skin issues, to name a few.
Now, I won’t sugar coat it for you (pun intended), it ain’t easy coming off sugar. You will be cranky withdrawing, and no amount of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will be able to get your mind off it, you will want that sweet sweet release that is cake or soda or whatever your vice is, but remember so will all that bad bacteria that has overgrown in your gut, don’t give them the satisfaction! Candida be damned! Long live the good flora, may you flourish and overtake the gut throne!
Side note: Fruits also contain fructose, but the whole fruit also contain vitamins and other antioxidants that reduce the hazardous effects of fructose. The problem with fructose is that we over exceed the daily consumption by 300 per cent through the crappy non-foods we eat.
Things you can do:
• Keep healthy snacks close by.
• Improve your sleeping habits (bad sleeping patterns can be linked to sugar cravings).
• Eat more starchy veggies (sweet potatoes, yams), as this will help you curb cravings for those after dinner sweet treats.
• Drink more water.
• Add healthy fats.
• Chew your food!
RECIPE: Goji Balls
Ingredients
• 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
• ¼ cup ground flaxseeds
• 3 tbsp raw shelled pumpkin seeds
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 6 tbsp almond butter (or any other nut butter)
• 3½ tbsp honey
• ¼ tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp goji berries
• pinch sea salt
• large pinch fresh orange zest
• pinch of cinnamon
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine oats, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds; mix well. Set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, combine almond butter, honey and vanilla extract; mix well to combine then transfer to the oat mixture and mix well. Use your hands to get everything mixed evenly.
3. Add goji berries, sea salt and orange zest and cinnamon, roll mixture into small balls about and place in the fridge until ready to serve.
