Are you a sugar addict?
Sugar addiction is real. We think that we just lack a little willpower or that we are all just lazy. We think that losing weight is a simple matter of calories in and calories out. How many of you reading this are now on a diet? How many of you struggle daily with your sugar cravings, always giving in, making excuses like you’ve had a bad day, or you’ll start again tomorrow. Your introduction to sweets may have happened before you had a choice in the matter. Sugar was put in my tea at around the age of 3 so ‘I would drink it’! Its incomprehensible really but that’s what was done years ago – we didn’t know the evils of sugar. Still today many popular baby formulas contain corn syrup and sugar.
With time, eating sugar becomes a habit and worse an addiction.
You find that you need more of the sweet stuff to satisfy your cravings. A sugary snack makes you feel “normal” and can lift your spirits. But as you eat more sugar, it becomes difficult to even consider quitting. When you stop eating sugar, you feel cranky, tired and sick.
This is sugar addiction.
5 Signs of Sugar Addiction
Sugar addiction is very real.
It has to do with the brain and a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Dopamine promotes a sense of wellness. When there’s plenty of dopamine floating around, you feel good. And guess what? Whether you abuse drugs like cocaine and heroin or binge on sweets, the brain is flooded with dopamine.
Take 5 minutes and be honest with yourself. You may be a sugar addict if:
- You make excuses for your sugar. (“It’s organic!”)
- To satisfy your sweet tooth, you make special trips to the store or coffee shop.
- For motivation, you deserve something sweet.
- You have a secret sugar stash, or you binge on sugar when you’re alone. (this was my issue)
- You have tried to stop eating sugar and you can’t.
If you’ve nodded your head to any of these or if they are ringing a bell it may be time to have a serious look at how much sugar you eat and how to stop.
Binging is what happens when you find yourself consuming more and more of a substance just to feel satisfied. It’s common in drug abuse and it’s common in sugar addiction.
Sugar Is More Addictive Than Cocaine
Tests conducted in rats tell us that sugar is more rewarding and addictive than cocaine. Sugar wins hands down every time. Yes, its more addictive. It appears that this is because we are hardwired to seek out sugar. After all, our cells have evolved to rely on sugar as their number one fuel source.
According to researchers at Princeton University, sugar withdrawal isn’t a far cry from heroin withdrawal, symptoms include anxiety and depression, followed by cravings.
How to Kick Your Sugar Habit
Because, unlike street drugs, sweetened foods are widely available. They are inexpensive. They seem harmless enough. Sweets, soft drinks, baked goods, blended coffee drinks, fruit drinks and sports drinks all contain added sugar.
Read your labels and you will find added sugar in:
- Sauces
- Yougurts
- Cereals
- Salad dressings
- Deli meats
- Canned soups
- Baby formula
The first step to getting off sugar is awareness.
Reading food labels and making a conscious choice to stay away from added sugars can empower you to kick your sugar habit. Getting back in the kitchen and cooking whole foods will help you reset.
If you need a little extra support, consider my upcoming Summer Sizzle Cleanse starting on July 18th. Register your interest by emailing me orlavaughan@gmail.com. I will walk you through a two-week programme that will:
- Retrain your taste buds
- Curb your sugar cravings
- Start healing the digestive tract
- Rev up metabolism
- Promote weight loss
Give it a try and see what a difference giving up sugar makes in your life!