It all starts so innocently. You indulge in a little bit of sweet here and there, but before you know it—you’re hooked! Or if you’re like me, and grew up in a poor household with little education about nutrition and ate little debbie cakes for breakfast - you've been hooked!
Have you gone through the motions of being a sugar addict, feeling guilty and trying to break the cycle only to find yourself back at square one with your hand in the cookie jar? Let’s take a look at what happens when we eat too much sugar, why it’s bad for us, and how we can break free from its grip.
The Effects of Too Much Sugar
Sugar is everywhere we turn these days—from soft drinks to snacks to desserts. Food manufacturers add it to everything because they know it makes us want (and buy) more. It is even in deli meat! But consuming high amounts of sugar has consequences that go beyond just weight gain or diabetes. Eating too much sugar can have an impact on our moods, energy levels, skin health, gut health, heart health and more! Too much sugar hinders our capacity for Joy! Here are some of the symptoms of too much sugar in our diets:
Fatigue – Eating large amounts of sugar over time can cause fatigue due to sudden spikes and drops in blood sugar levels.
Mood swings – High amounts of sugar can cause irritability and mood swings due to the fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
Weight gain – Consuming too much sugar causes our bodies to store fat rather than burn it off as energy.
Skin problems – Excessive consumption of sugary foods causes inflammation which may lead to acne or other skin concerns.
Gut issues – When our gut bacteria become unbalanced due to excessive consumption of sugary foods this can lead to digestive issues such as bloating or constipation.
Heart problems – Eating too much sugar increases risk for heart disease by raising cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
So How Do We Break Free From Sugar Addiction?
Breaking free from any addiction is hard work but fortunately there are a few tricks that can help us kick our cravings for good! Start by eliminating added sugars from your diet as much as possible (this means avoiding processed foods). Focus on eating fresh whole foods such as fruits and vegetables that provide natural sugars without all the negative side effects associated with processed sugars. Lastly, drink plenty of water throughout the day–it will help keep you hydrated and full so you don’t reach for sugary snacks out of boredom or dehydration!
If you think you might be addicted to sugar consider taking steps now towards breaking free from your addiction! Reducing your intake is key but don't forget that eating fresh whole foods will also help provide natural sweetness without all the negative side effects associated with processed sugars. And finally make sure you're drinking plenty of water throughout the day–it will help keep you hydrated and full so you won't be reaching for unhealthy snacks out of boredom or dehydration! If we take small steps every day towards breaking free from our addiction then eventually we'll be able to kick it for good!
I have found that having accountability and support makes me more successful. If you are looking for a FREE and easy program to help you walk through breaking your sugar addiction and has an active community of people supporting you, message us! We can get you connected.
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