not so sweet

 

 

We all know Western society consumes too much sugar. We all know that this isn't good for us, but the same half-hearted excuses crop up . . .

 

 

 

"I couldn't give up sugar! I have such a sweet tooth!"

 

"It's okay, I only have it in my tea!"

 

"I love sweets far to much to cut them out!"

 

"It's only sugar, what harm can it really do?"

 

"Unsweetened food is so gross! I couldn't eat it!"

 

 

 

Clearly, sugar consumption isn't a big worry to us if these feeble excuses resolve the issue.

 

But would you carry on eating that way if you were fully aware of what sugar does to our bodies?

 

 

 

 

 

Suddenly all those treats don't seem so sweet after all!

 

Committing to a healthy lifestyle is most manageable in small steps. Making the decision to avoid refined sugar is a simple, one-target goal that can provide a huge leap forward in cleaning up your diet.

 

 

 

Think about it - no added sugar. Its easy enough to cut down and then eliminate sugar we add to hot drinks, cereals and the like . . . this is something we are doing ourselves.

 

But no added sugar also means no food that has had sugar added to it by someone else. In other words, the majority of prepackaged foods.

 

 

'What a hassle!' I hear you cry!

 

It really isn't. It is perfectly feasible, it doesn't have to mean more time in the kitchen and it is definitely more economical to avoid prepackaged foods.

 

'I could never eat out again! I love it to much! Life is to short for that!'

 

Reread those facts. Think about those your nearest and dearest you treat  to those meals. Life will be short for them if you go on that way.

 

'I couldn't get used to the taste!'

 

Sugar is addictive and acts like a drug, removing it suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms more often associated with hard, illegal drugs. Just cutting out that sweet white powder that is bad for us can cause depression,  achy limbs, headaches and fatigues?! Makes you rethink how innocent it really is. That is something I definitely don't want going in my body!

 

 

 

 

So how can we cut down on sugar? Here are some simple steps . . .

 

 

 

1) Cut out sugar you add -  Okay, we can't cut it out cold turkey without ill effects. But there is enough sugar in the foods we consume to allow us to cut out all sugar you add to foods and drinks. Challenge yourself to one week with no sugar - you will surprise yourself what you can achieve!

 

 

2) Replace all high sugar foods - that means sweets, cakes, soda, jam etc. Give your baking habit a break and yourself one week to adjust. But don't feel deprived, replace your usual afternoon treat with a piece of fruit. Pick up something exotic and new at the grocery store. Blend it into a smoothie!

If this still doesn't satisfy you, make it!! Add it to some protein (think low far greek yogurt or cottage cheese) and a serving of healthy fat (nuts and seeds are ideal) to give your body what it needs.

 

Focus on what you can eat not on what you can't.

As the week pass you'll feel a million times better, your skin will be clearer, your energy levels will be higher and you will notice a marked improvement in your mood at the end of the week.

Your taste buds will readjust to their natural state, and those foods you once loved will taste artificial and repulsive. Your body knows whats best for it, Its just addicted to a drug right now!

3) Start to look at the ingredient lists to see what we are really putting in our bodies. Look at all foods, if its going into your body its important! Even seemingly healthy foods can be full of sugar...

                           

 

While all of these 'healthy' foods contain sugar, there are still no-added sugar varieties of many of them out there! If not, challange yourself to create your own! 

 

 

If the sugar content shocks you, put it back down and turn to whole foods (think fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein, low fat dairy, healthy fat) in their natural and unprocessed form. Eating a well balanced diet that provides all the nutrients and vitamins we need is essential to help with this transition.  Don't just go for the low-sugar option, sometimes their just filled with other nasties that are equally as bad for us.

 

 

 

And as always, life is to be enjoyed and lived in moderation. While I really believe sugar is something so prevalent we need to make our best conscious effort to avoid it.

 

Once adjusted to a natural level, you can gradually reintroduce unprocessed sweeteners (honey, maple syrup, etc etc) but it is important to have a period of 'detox' from all added sugar to help our bodies readjust so we can learn to consume these in the correct quantities.

 

There do not have to be any restrictions imposed for life. . .  meals out can be enjoyed, a piece of birthday cake can be savoured, an ice cream can be devoured on a hot, summers day. But as a society we need to restore sugar to the role it should play in our diets, as an occasional treat.

 

One by one, week by week. . . just do it. Your body and your wallet will thank you for it!