If you’re not a believer that sugar addiction is a real and possibly quite harmful issue facing society these days, you likely don’t even need to take a look at other individuals around you to discover the truth, as you might have experience “first hand” with this wide-spread and difficult addiction yourself. It is estimated that the majority of people who partake in a typical Western diet eat far in excess of a sensible amount of sugar in any one day and many people still discount the negative primary effects and side effects that this product can deliver.
It is important to note that simple and refined sugars are really not necessary for our bodies to function. There are quite a bit of naturally occurring complex sugars found within many complex carbohydrates and whole foods, and a sensible balanced diet will supply us with the necessary vital energy to function extremely well. Unfortunately, simple sugars are found in a large cross-section of everyday food and drink, often added for taste value or to help with preservation.
If you notice that you can’t seem get through the first half of your day without a can of soda or something sweet, you probably have a sugar dependence to some degree, and possibly even a sugar addiction. Many nutrition professionals disagree as to the actual cause of a sugar addiction, whether it’s an intense desire for the taste, or the quick short-term energy rush, commonly called a sugar high. Other individuals look to the main ingredient of white refined sugar, as it’s nearly identical to alcohol, with an insignificant nutritional value as an empty caloric food, just as with alcohol. Just like liquor, wine and beer, sugar relies on the depletion of your mineral and vitamin resources in order to be processed by your body.
To effectively deal with sugar addiction, it’s essential that you develop a sensible approach to holistic nutrition and realize that every part of your diet has to be moderated. Too much sugar creates an overstimulation of the neuro-transmitters within your brain, leading to an over tolerance and the hardwiring of your receptors to expect more and more of the same.
If you find that you have been suffering from depression or mood swings, or that your family, friends or partner accuses you of being irrational and irritable, you should take a cold hard look at your sugar intake. It will be necessary to refer to the nutrition labels on all foods that you consume. You will become an expert in deciphering all those figures and should especially look for references to glucose, fructose, sucrose or lactose within. Most sensible holistic health solutions encourage you not to focus on snack diets or eating “on the fly,” but rather to assume control over your own destiny.
We are constantly being told that we need to cut down on fats within our diet. Saturated fats are a major enemy and we must always check on cholesterol levels and focus on heart health. We also need to pay particular attention to our sugar addiction, as there is a very long list of potential health problems awaiting us if we don’t.
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It can be really difficult to focus on holistic nutrition when you suffer from cravings for those sweet, sugary products. When we actually see those temptations around us, it can be even more difficult to stay in control. We only have to travel to the gas station or the corner store for something totally unrelated and right before our eyes we see those enticing donuts in the checkout line or candy bars right next to the cash register. Cravings can be incredibly challenging to handle, particularly if you haven’t eaten anything for a few hours. The combination of feeling really hungry and that intense desire for something sweet can be hard to resist, and most of the time – before you know it, you’ve given in to your sugar addiction once again.
There are a variety of factors within the body that can be responsible for making sugar cravings happen, particularly when it comes to insulin production and long term habits. If, for instance, you’ve accustomed yourself to drinking sugary drinks regularly throughout the day, your body might have become accustomed to large spikes in glucose – and the resulting insulin production, which thereby leads to a continuous level of anticipation in your system.
It’s important to take a really balanced look at holistic health solutions in your life if you find that you are constantly having to fight off those sugar cravings. At this point, an essential area for you to give your attention to should be the balance of your overall diet. Sometimes you may not be getting as much protein as you should and you may need to realize that what your body is really asking you for is protein and not sugar.
As we’ve said before, temptations are virtually everywhere, and most of the time you can’t do much about their location. However, you can certainly clean your house of these temptations, where you have overall control and this means not stocking up on those tempting “after dinner” treats, or that carton of “Ben and Jerry’s,” sitting in its special place in your freezer!
You should know that there is a difference between simple processed sugar and sugar that is already contained within foods. Processed foods and candy bars, processed juices and soda drinks all contain sugars that contain zero calories or nutritional value and these are responsible for that “high” and subsequent low. Fruits, on the other hand, contain naturally occurring sugars which interact with your body in an entirely different way. We know that nutritional experts are always preaching at us to eat more fruits and vegetables and if you can get into the habit of eating an item of fruit every day, you will get beneficial fibers, vitamins and minerals as well.
Do not underestimate the power that this sugar addiction can have over you. You will need to make significant dietary changes and have a lot of willpower to be able to get through the early stages. Pay attention to everything that you buy in the grocery store from now on and read the labels to reveal your best buying choices. A sensible approach to holistic nutrition along with a few other holistic health solutions will soon help you to overcome your sugar addiction.
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