Hello friends!
There are so many things that make the Standard American Diet so unbelievably unhealthy. Fast food and processed food cause so much damage to the body and really affect it’s ability to function at its peak. Learn about my take on the solution to these problems HERE.
However, there is one component to these foods that is really the root of many major healthy issues. I know you don’t want to hear it but the #1 culprit in weight gain and disease is…..SUGAR! Sugar is more or less the devil and is getting in the way of your weight loss success. Don’t believe me? Below are some of the many reasons you need to give up sugar NOW in order to succeed in your weight loss journey.
Sugar makes you hungry.
First of all, sugar is not the least bit satisfying, both physically and emotionally. Sugar triggers the production of insulin, which is a hormone made by the pancreas that allows your body to use sugar as an energy source. When there is a lot of insulin in your cells, it allows more sugar to get into the cell. This means there is less sugar in your bloodstream. Low blood sugar signals to the brain the need to replenish that sugar, i.e. EAT.
It can be highly addictive.
Sugar fuels your brain, so naturally your brain has learned to LOVE sugar. The body learns to physically (and emotionally) crave sugar. That’s why we eat sugar when we’re sad. It makes our brains happy. Those cravings can make it easier to lose control and eat more and more sugar. Now try giving up that sugar. Just like any drug, the withdrawal is REAL! It’s a full body experience and it can really hurt.
Sugar (obviously) causes weight gain.
All those empty calories add up and they have to go somewhere right? Guess what? Sugar stores as fat! When you consumer too much sugar, your body cannot use it all right away so you have more fuel that needs to be stored; you have more fat. And that friends is how you gain weight. Every day people eat more than their bodies actually need. So the body never gets a chance to burn that extra energy and it just continues to build up as fat.
You may experience mental fog.
When you experience unstable blood sugar, the neurons in your brain are not receiving enough energy. Remember sugar is brain food! When your neurons don’t have enough energy, your brain doesn’t function properly and make you feel that fog. This can leave you feeling unfocused and may stop you from being as productive.
Sugar can mess with your mental health.
Ever heard of a sugar high? Because the brain loves sugar. It initiates the flow of serotonin, better known as the “happiness molecule”. Serotonin stimulates feelings of pleasure and positivity. However, it only lasts about 1-2 hours. When sugar levels lower serotonin lowers, which is why you experience a “crash” of sadness. Until your next “fix”. Sugar has been associated with depression and anxiety and many studies have shown the effect it can have on mood, learning, and quality of life.
Sugar causes numerous health issues.
It goes without saying, then, that sugar comes with A LOT of health problems. For example, excess sugar consumption is the leading cause of diabetes. When your body stops responding to insulin , you development diabetes and that comes with a whole host of issues. Too much sugar causes fat to build up in your arteries and puts you as risk for serious cardiovascular diseases. It can also cause fat to build up in your liver and damage your kidneys. Sugar has also been linked to cancer, dementia, and Alzheimer’s.
So that sounds pretty bad. At least I think. But giving up sugar completely sounds impossible and idealistic. You have do do more than try. It will take a lot of out you if you don’t do it the right way. If you think quitting sugar is a matter of willpower, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Here are some steps you can take to get started on your sugar detox. Start by incorporating these tips and work on slowly cutting back completely.
1.Clean out your environment. It goes without saying you have to get it out of the house entirely. Out of sight, out of reach to binge on. And don’t pretend you have willpower to control it because we would not be here if that was the case. Get it out and try not to think about it. It gets easier with time when you’re not around it as much.
2. Drink all the water. It helps your flush your organs and internal system of toxins and waste. Your cells need water to function and hydrating regularly
3. Avoid artificial sweeteners. Consuming them won’t stop your cravings for real sugar and can actually make them stronger. Artificial sweeteners stimulate pleasure sensors in the brain because they are so much sweeter than regular sugar. Although they have no calories because they cannot be digested, they have the same risks for weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, and many other diseases.
4. Cut out processed food. Completely. Avoid the middle of the grocery aisles. Stick to a whole foods (plant-based!) diet. Healthy fats, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates. Feed your body the natural nourishment it needs to function properly. When fed the right way, your body is capable of amazing things!
5. Know what’s in your food. Sugar is in everything! And it comes in many forms and has MANY names. Read your labels! While you would be better off sticking to natural foods, make the effort to know what is in the food you eat every day.
6. Be prepared. Find healthy alternatives and stash them everywhere. Bring your go-to snacks with you and you’ll save yourself in times of temptation.
7. Mix strength training into your daily routine. Using your muscles burns a lot of energy (sugar), which stabilizes the sugar in your bloodstream. Exercise releases endorphins which can replace the need for sugar and reduces cravings.
8. Distract yourself. If your sugar addiction comes from a place of boredom, find yourself something better to do. You have to. You cannot give up anything if you are constantly thinking about it. Find a new hobby or you will not succeed. If you crave sugar in times of distress, make a conscious effort to find better coping mechanisms. Your addiction to sugar stem from deeper issues, so talk to someone. Willpower will get you nowhere. You have to be prepared. Because it will not be easy.
I would love to know about your experience with sugar detox.
Give it 30 days. You are strong enough to do it. You might just be a better version of yourself at the end of the month!
Always remember, You are capable of amazing things and You are worthy of your wildest dreams!
Until next time friends!
XOXO
~~Valerie~~
