The sugar addiction is making us overweight, lethargic and ruining my prized possession around the gutsy blog -> the gut.
Sugar is the most potent drug.
You have a hard time believing that because when you think “drug,” you think “pharmaceuticals, marijuana, cocaine” and the like.
And yet, sugar is the most potent drug.
My brother tried giving it up. I think he thought it was going to be a piece of cake, until he realized (with my hand holding of course) that sugar is in everything. By day 7, he caved and either ate several Girl Scout Cookies or an entire box. Either way, I told him he was a woman. He made note that quitting sugar is likely to be as hard as giving up smoking.
He is 1,000% correct.
Source: graphs.net via Sarah on Pinterest
Last March, I heard Julia Ross speak on the Sugar Addiction. She told us that businessmen brought sugar to the United States in the early 1900′s because they knew it was addictive. Julia went on to describe that which makes it a drug:
- loss of control
- continued use despite adverse consequences
- withdrawal symptoms
- 97% relapse (see, JJ -> you’re normal!)
- progressive = terminal
After awhile, addiction is not a choice anymore; it becomes a bio-chemical imperative.
The sugar addiction is real.
Furthermore, the sugar addiction is toxic. Have you seen, Sugar: The Bitter Truth by Dr. Robert Lustig yet? (I highly recommend it.)
I am beyond passionate when it comes to sugar and what it does to anyone with IBS or IBD.
Like it, love it or hate it, if you work with me, we address it. If you can’t cut cold turkey, I meet you where you are at, but we absolutely meet somewhere.
The sugar addiction is hard to kick; I don’t pretend it’s not. I used to eat Toaster Strudels, ice cream, cookies and more every single day.
Part of healing, like with any addiction, is taking the first step. I welcome you with open arms.
Love your guts,
SKH
You speak the truth! My family and I are detoxing after the holiday sugar fest. I won’t lie; there have been many slip ups, but I’m trying to reduce, reduce, reduce and re-train our palates to accept less sweet options. Thanks for this!
You are welcome! The truth is that I rarely ever crave it anymore. That’s huge for me!
This is so so true! Every word! I definitely struggle with sugar addiction at times and when I try and wean off it-I have similar symptoms to many addicts that they have when coming off drugs or alcohol. To name just a few: headaches, irritability, depression and cravings all come with the territory. It is amazing how much better your whole body feels when reducing the sugar intake!
Hi Jana! Thanks for stopping by…I agree with you on all. It’s hard to believe that a sugar detox is so similar to what other addicts face, but it’s the truth.
No wonder I want to “try” to delete it from the foods that I snack on when I crave a little sugar rush. Just wrote a blog about this yesterday: http://rachelryanpr.net/blog/2013/01/chocolate-without-the-sugar-rush/
Thanks for sharing, Rachel! I’ll check your post out…
This is such a great post and so scarily true. Sugar seems to be in everything lately and is creeping into our diets more and more. It is definitely addicting. The more I have it the more I want it and when I go through periods where I phase it out I not only feel amazing but also crave it a whole lot less.
Thank you, Danielle! That’s just it about sugar…the more you have it, the more you crave it. An overgrowth of yeast feeds off it…so you need to keep eating more and more and…(well you get the picture!) xo
Awesome post! Sugar IS addictive, and that’s why I’m not much of a “in moderation” fan. If you’re addicted, then just having “one cookie” is not going to work. Quit it cold turkey – then enjoy it at your own risk with full awareness of consequences. If you want a piece of pie on Thanksgiving, go for it – BUT don’t bring leftovers home. Eliminating sugar really forces people to eat real food because sugar is hidden in the majority of processed foods.
LOVE these thoughts, Lauren! I could not agree more. I don’t do moderation at all…I’m no good at it. So I completely agree with every single word you said!
Great post, girl! Just one taste of sugar sends me in a downward spiral of wanting more! I’ve been really good about avoiding sugar this month, but some 90 percent dark chocolate and GF coconut macaroons have sneaked in
Thanks for sharing Sugar: The Bitter Truth. I’m looking forward to watching it!
It’s a good one.