The average American has around 22 teaspoons of sugar on a daily basis (higher for teens and children) this much sugar has been linked to increased incidence of heart disease and inflammation among other things, many other things.
Ditching sugar is no easy feat, and let’s be honest, it can feel like we’re trying to break up with someone who is gorgeous but totally wrong for us.
Those Cravings
Sugar tastes gooooood. Not only that, it FEELS good, too! When sugary foods hit our tongue, it immediately causes a rush of feel-good hormones surging through our body. Those sugar cravings you experience are not just mental, they’re literally physical. Your body craves sugar. Another reason for those cravings is that sugar can overfeed the yeast in the intestinal tract, causing it to overgrow in a major way. When you have a yeast overgrowth, you can experience many symptoms that can really ruin your day (week, month, years!). To stay alive and continue growing, the yeast signals the brain to eat more simple carbs and sugar. Yikes!
Sugar causes excess-acidity
Sugar throws off the acid-alkaline balance in the body and thus creates an environment that’s not in balance. Sore achy joints, brain fog, low energy, and poor digestive health are just a few of the effects that too much acidity can cause.
According to Dr.Weil, an expert on inflammation, “research has linked added sugar to the development of high blood pressure, increased triglycerides, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and fatty liver problems. It also makes insulin less effective in lowering blood sugar.”
The reality of the situation is that human beings never evolved to eat this much sugar and stay healthy. Our ancestors thrived on a diet high in protein, fat, and plant foods, and rarely was there any sugar in the picture. When we start to derive a high percentage of calories from sugar alone (which is nutritionally void) we’re setting ourselves up for disaster.
If you want to balance your body, reduce soreness and stiffness in your joints, improve your digestion, your mood, and enhance your immune system’s ability to protect you, the best thing you can do is take a hint from our ancestors and slow way down on eating so much sugar. Your body and brain will thank you.
What to do
Today I want you to focus on cutting out the sugar of everything you drink. That means no more soda, no sugar or fancy creamer in your coffee, no sugar or honey in your tea, and no fruit juices. Pay attention to everything you drink and if it has sugar, skip it. Stick to water, club soda, black coffee (with milk or cream), and unsweetened tea. If stevia or monk fruit extract doesn’t trigger you, you can add that to your beverages.
Keep up this habit of sugar-free drinks throughout the rest of the week. You can do it and you are WORTH IT!
[RECIPE] Apple Pie Protein Balls
Makes about 12 balls
- 1 ½ cups dried apple, roughly chopped
- 3 tablespoons almond butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup shredded, unsweetened coconut flakes
- pinch of sea salt
Instructions:
- Add all the ingredients to a blender or food processor. Blend until well incorporated.
- Rub a dab of coconut oil onto your hands and roll the mixture into individual balls.
- Store in the refrigerator for about one hour before serving. Enjoy!
To Your Health,
Patti
