Would you believe me if I told you that most American's are addicted to a drug? Would you believe me if I told you that this drug is legal, and accepted by our society? What drug are American's most addicted to?
Sugar.
Yes, sugar is as addictive as cocaine and when removed from a person's diet will create similar withdrawal symptoms as when detoxing from cocaine or other drugs.
You may be thinking, I don't eat a lot of sugar. I don't eat ice cream, cakes, cookies, or candy, so I really don't eat much sugar. Yet an average healthy woman eats 2-3x the recommended daily amount of sugar.
Drinks are a big contributor to sugar consumption. Creamers in coffee, sodas, energy drinks, sweet tea, alcohol, and other drinks provide us with upwards of 40-100g of sugar per drink. One Coke or energy drink is equivalent to a few days worth of our recommended sugar intake, and yet we consume these a few times a day. Knowing sugar is bad and trying to avoid calories, many of us have switched to diet drinks. Unfortunately these drinks are almost worse for us then the sugar drinks. These drinks claim that they have no sugar and no calories, so instead they are pumped with chemicals to mimic sugar. When we drink something sweet that has no calories our brains are tricked into wanting more calories because we aren't getting enough energy. This causes us to crave, drink, and eat more sweet foods. These chemicals have an enormous negative affect on our physical, emotional, and mental health.
Sugar is also found in the everyday foods that we eat. Cereals, breads, packaged foods, broths, condiments, salad dressings, processed meats, and of course fast food and any other restaurants. Sugar is added to all of these foods to make it taste good, and make us want to eat more. It is almost impossible to avoid sugar eating the Standard American Diet. Only by eating a whole foods diet centered around plants, can we achieve a healthy consumption of sugar.
So what's the big deal about sugar? Why is it so bad for us? Sugar can cause a host of problems for children and adults. Mental issues like depression and anxiety can be triggered by sugar. Inflammation is triggered by sugar contributing to a long list of chronic diseases such as auto immune diseases, Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's, and the numerous gastrointestinal issues our country battles like IBS and ulcerative colitis. For children it contributes to ADD and ADHD, as well as other mental and behavioral issues found so commonly in our children today.
Once we consume a diet high in sugar, it's hard to come off of it. Our palette changes, and we only crave and enjoy sweet things. Everything else tastes sour or bitter, and the more sugar we consume the more our bodies, brains, and taste buds crave it and require it. It's a scary cycle we have been thrown into by our food manufacturers, and it can be a challenging journey out of it. But it is possible!
I recently finished 21 days of no sugar or sweeteners of any kind. It was tough and challenging at times. In the beginning I was fatigued and just wanted something sweet. By the end I had more energy, I lost weight and felt lighter, my hormonal issues subsided, and the stomach issues that had been plaguing me over the past month or so completely disappeared. A few nights after removing sugar I put some back in to my diet, and it was instant that all of my stomach issues returned. It was awful to be back there again, but it is amazing to see how clearly sugar had been affecting me. I hadn't quite made the connection yet between my gut and sugar. By basically doing an elimination diet, I was able to see the connection. Sugar wreaks havoc on my body as well as yours, and its time we start taking control of our bodies and fueling them with the healthies foods possible.
Are you reading this and thinking, I could never do that? I could never remove sugar from my diet so I don't even want to try? I'm here to tell you that you can do it! Anyone can do anything for 10 days. Is it worth it to you? Is it worth it for you to get some energy back? To improve your mood and remove your brain fog? Is it worth it to you to relieve some aches and pains? Lose weight? Have energy to play with your kids and spend time with your spouse? Get off medications that make you feel bad and put a dent in your wallet? What is your why? If you could imagine the way you want your life to be, would it be worth it to try something that could get you a step closer to the life you want?
As a Nutrition Health Coach the Sugar Seminar is one of the most life changing seminars. The testimonies of people who have lost weight, decreased depression and anxiety, and healed their bodies in so many ways is astounding. During the seminar I teach you about what sugar is, where it is found, how much is a healthy amount, and all of the negative affects it has on your physical and mental well being. The seminar leads us into a 10 day sugar detox where we guide each other, encourage each other, and support each other to make the changes we need to see the results we are desperately needing. With the sugar detox not only do you get support but you receive recipes and a full guide on what foods you can eat and what foods you are trying to avoid. The sugar detox is designed to remove your body of sugar, so you can begin eating again having a better understanding of what your body wants and needs. Once the detox is completed the journey begins of bringing sugar back into our diets in a more controlled and healthy way to allow our body to be at its best.
Would you be willing to join us? It could change your life. Figure out your why and ask yourself is it worth it?
Sugar Seminar is February 22nd at 6:00pm through Zoom. Registration is $12. Take a step in 2021 to do something to move you closer to your health goals. It could be the best thing you ever do!
Here are a couple no sugar dinners my family and I love!
Garlicky Alfredo Sweet Potato Noodles (I love to add broccoli to this as my veggie)
Can't make the seminar but interested in taking your first steps on your health journey? Contact Lindsay, IIN certified Nutrition Health Coach, to schedule your complimentary health consultation today!