|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Well, it’s the ends of March and how did it all workout? If you’re a regular Food Partier!, you may recall my roller coaster life of a sugar junkie and annual post-holiday sugar blues. It takes till March for my mind to recover from the onslaught of sugar plums and sweet treats that swarm year-end feasts. Yes… I said March. While I hoped to hasten a return to Normal-ish,* recovery went pretty much as planned.
I hope it sticks.
When I say I’m “addicted,” I don’t mean I really like sugar, I mean I’m addicted. Sugar draws me in, with a force that loops in my brain and demands attention. If I’m not in control of sugar, sugar is in control of me.
I’ve eaten plant-forward/Mediterranean diet for decades, but maintained 5-10 unwanted pounds. With diabetes in my family, fasting glucose levels tested annually showed no red flags. Still this veggie and grain eater never lost weight. And she’s active! It took till my late 50’s to feel mentally strong enough to be honest about sugar. I don’t eat anywhere near the average American consumption, but got my sugar kick daily, you better believe it. Four years on has shown good progress rewiring my brain and keeping off those 5 pounds, along with a slight reduction in A1C. Looking back, those pounds weren’t about calories-in, I think I had too much sugar (and therefore insulin) in my bloodstream too often to lose them. Not high enough for western medicine alarm bells which is the real problem, but high enough to prevent natural weight loss, an early sign of trouble. For better body function – I need more hours with less glucose and insulin running around in my blood.
Unfortunately, I can’t eat much sweet.
What Happens When You Give Up Sugar?
“Americans eat/drink approximately 34 teaspoons of sugars a day, equal to 500 calories.” Annual consumption averages 70 -100 pounds. I doubt I eat a pound a month, and propose a Food Party! Challenge for us all to start tracking. Depending on how much you eat, giving it up might make you tired, lethargic and grouchy with headaches and strong cravings. Or you might feel like you will lose your mind! If you can hold on 3 – 6 days, symptoms usually pass, followed by lower blood pressure and decreased insulin and fat in your blood. Less bloating and reduced inflammation are also perks. If you’re a “sugar-burner” / sugar junkie rather than “metabolically flexible” (body doesn’t efficiently switch between burning glucose and fat for fuel) you might need more time for your insulin reaction to catch up with new habits.
Why Eat Less Sugar?
More Energy (and fewer crashes!)
Without the sugar roller coaster, your energy levels become more stable. I stopped falling asleep in the middle of the day.
Improved Digestion
Less sugar often means better gut health—especially replaced with fiber-rich, whole foods – veggies, fruits, nuts, and grains.
Reduced Risk of Disease
Lower sugar helps decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease.
Weight Loss (or easier weight maintenance)
Sugar hides in lots of processed foods, so reducing really helps.
Taste Buds Reset
Fruit tastes sweeter. Veggies have more flavor. Your palate comes alive when it’s not bombarded with refined sugar.
Mood Stability
Less sugar = fewer mood swings, anxiety spikes, and emotional crashes.
Improved Sleep
Say goodbye to that 2 a.m. wake-up call or nervous leg syndrome, your blood sugar won’t be yanking you out of bed.
Cravings Calm
The less you eat sugar, the less your body demands it. The beast gets quieter.
What is A1C?
I wish modern medicine would talk more about A1C (hemoglobin A1C). Next time you get a blood draw, ask for a test. More telling than fasting glucose, it measures average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months. Most people have no idea what A1C is, what it means, or why it matters—until something goes wrong. Our medical system is reactive rather than proactive. Doctors often focus on treating symptoms rather than preventing disease. If you’re not diabetic or pre-diabetic, they don’t bring up A1C. Watching trends early could be life-changing. A1C is a silent messenger. It tells the story of your long-term relationship with sugar and insulin—and gives you a chance to course-correct before chronic illness sets in.
Treat Sweetened with Fruit
One way to ween off processed sugar is enjoying treats sweetened with fruit. Perfect dessert is fruit + nut + chocolate. This pudding recipe with avocado also gives good fat and has staying power!
*Normal-ish : the mental ability to limit added sugar treats to 3X-ish per week and not lose my mind. Also having something sweet like a fresh and dried fruit compote after dinner and that’s it. No all night munching on dried fruit and nuts, or whatever.
