I have spent the entire day (thus far) investigating sugar. I have been slowly cutting out all processed sugar for a little over a week. It hasn't been too hard yet, simply because I'm replacing junk sugar with a healthy alternative. I'm consuming a ton of bananas and other fruit in sugars place. I'm also allowing myself real maple syrup and honey in limited amounts. I have never cared for artificial sweeteners, and will NOT introduce them into my diet.
When you put processed sugar and it's side effects against artificial sweeteners and theirs, you begin to see there's not much difference. They are all bad choices to make in consumption. So why not just start cutting out the junk and replacing it with fruit and other healthy choices? Why do people think it's so difficult to cut out sweets? You can still have your sweet tooth satiated simply by choosing wisely.
Bananas are my saving grace right now. From peanut butter banana pancakes, to plain bananas.. I'm eating them every day. I haven't craved junk sugar yet. I'm still giving my body it's sugar craving, but I'm not spiking or crashing, which is a huge improvement. Not too mention that if I had any junk sugar at all during the day, I couldn't sleep well at all. I'm sleeping much better now!
I've noticed my craving for sugar is becoming less. I still do not drink my sugar.. Even when I have a cup of green tea. I just drink it plain. I've always had this thought in my head that drinking my sugar is worse than eating it. (Probably because I was told to cut out sugar in my drinks so long ago) I do what I consider to be 'clean drinking'. Plain coffee with just a bit of milk in the morning, after I've had about 16-24 ounces of water. I drink water all day, even if I'm not thirsty. I drink one glass of wine per week, even though I really want one a day.. But the wine wasn't agreeing with me in a favorable manor, so I cut it out. I will also drink an occasional cup of hot green tea during cold months and cold green tea during warm months. Always with nothing added.
I had mostly cut out pre packaged junk food for the past few years. I think I've had maybe one candy bar in the past year, which is really good for me. But, I was still eating my own home baked goodies. On occasion, I will still have a couple cookies, or slice of cake. I've only justified this by cutting back on the amount of sugar in the recipe. I was still experiencing some sugar related side effects.. I was chronically thirsty, and having a hard time getting a full nights rest. This brings me to the here and now.
Gone are the cookies and cake. I replaced any sweets I used to eat with fruit themed desserts and snacks. I try not to eat anything but organic fresh fruit, sometimes embellished with peanut butter and nuts, or coconut and raisins. For that hard to beat sweets craving, I include a small hand full of semi sweet chocolate chips. It's been a full week this way now, and I think I'm gonna make it! I'm
planning a 'cut the sugar' challenge to get more friends and family on board!
Eating for your health is so much easier than people imagine! Taking one tiny step and making it a habit seems to just snowball into the desire to be healthier in other aspects too! If we were to all work together in educating ourselves about healthier choices, eventually, we wouldn't be sick. We'd all have tons of energy. And we'd all have an abundance of happiness. Won't you join me on the road to health? -Nicki
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