We all know sugar isn’t good for us but there’s something so much deeper at play that keeps us coming back for more, time and time again.
I actually get a lot of resistance from people when I mention quitting sugar, sugar detox, reduce sugar, etc.
It’s like “Whoa lady, don’t you be taking my sugar away from me! I need that shit in my life!”
Have you ever had that reaction?
I have 100% been like that in my sugar addict days!
I’ve had people tell me that they NEED sugar in their life.
Kind of like I need avocados and surprised myself when I just managed to do 2 weeks without on my SIBO protocol diet.
Something like that – but a sense of fear, anger, and bewilderment comes across people at why I would even suggest that!
It’s a bit like an alcoholic having his bottle taken away from him.
Yes, sugar is a drug and it’s as addictive or more than any substance.
We all have different relationships to sugar.
Believe me, I was addicted for a long time and sugar was my friend in many circumstances up until just a few years ago.
When I was bored, lonely, procrastinating, depressed, sad, happy, angry, hating on myself. Pretty much every emotion under the sun, sugar was my friend.
Well I thought it was. Then I realised it wasn’t.
It was actually more like the little devil that sits on your shoulder.
He tricks you into thinking he’s your friend and always there for you to get you to want more but really he’s trying to sabotage you and take you down. ??
Sugar did somewhat take me down.
Not completely, but it would’ve if I hadn’t transformed my relationship with it. I haven’t completely quit sugar and possibly never will 100% because I don’t need to now.
I can take it or leave it.
I eat refined sugar probably only 2% of the time and stay away from other forms of even ‘natural sugars’ apart from fruit, 20% of the time.
I’m happy to be in a place where I can enjoy it on occasion without guilt.
The more I eat, the more I want and the more crap I feel so there definitely is an OFF button for me these days.
I don’t let myself get to that stage very often.
I pay for it when I do with a sugar coma and inability to focus. It’s always a good reminder of why I usually don’t go there!
No bueno!
I’m not suggesting you quit ALL sugars forever (honey, maple syrup, dates, dried fruit, white flour, refined sugar, coconut sugar and all the other 50+ names for it), but I do want to share why it’s important to take a good look at your relationship with it, how much you are consuming and how good you can feel without it.
9 Major Health Benefits of Quitting Sugar
1) BANISH THE BLOATING
Your digestive system is not happy when you eat sugar.
Not only bloating, but sugar will turn the whole balance of your microbiome (all the bacteria and other markers such as fungus or candida) upside down. This will lead to all sorts of digestive complaints like constipation, severe bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, reflux and more. The more you feed the sugar-loving bacteria and candida, the more they will dominate and make you crave sugar even more. Yes, those little guys will make you eat more sugar!
Sugar is highly inflammatory and will cause inflammation in your digestive tract. This will then lead to more severe chronic issues which will start to really affect your quality of life and what you can and can’t eat. As much as we love sugar, is it really that worth it?
2) WEIGHT-LOSS
Many ‘low-fat’ processed foods contain hidden sugar. When you just eat real foods (even full fat!), you may find you actually lose weight.
Fructose is also metabolised through the liver then stored as fat so this is the sugar to watch out for to get rid of the ‘Belly Fat’! Sugar is highly inflammatory and inflammation leads to weight gain.
3) BETTER MOODS
Studies show that a high-sugar diet can lead to mood swings, grumpiness, anxiety and depression, due to rapid rise in adrenaline levels and blood sugar fluctuations.
4) CLEAR, GLOWING & MORE YOUTHFUL SKIN
Sugar produces harmful free radicals called AGE’s when you eat it. These damage collagen + elastin, the building blocks of your skin. These effects show in your complexion through fine lines, sagging & wrinkles.
5) STRONGER IMMUNE SYSTEM
Sugar weakens your immune system against viruses and infectious diseases by inhibiting the fighting strength of white blood cells and also by creating imbalances in the gut where 70% of your immune system resides.
6) HAPPIER HORMONES
Fructose specifically puts a stress on your liver when eaten in more than a small amount per day. Your liver regulates not only the balance of sex hormones, but thyroid hormones, cortisol and other adrenal hormones.
If the liver is stressed or overworked, then it will start to function less than optimally which can result in insulin resistance (along with high glucose intake) and major hormonal imbalances.
Sugar also causes inflammation and is a stressor on the body increasing your cortisol and adrenaline levels.
7) MORE (NATURAL) ENERGY
Sugar gives you a quick burst of energy, but blood sugar crashes will leave you more exhausted than ever. Wouldn’t you rather be running on consistent natural energy and lose that daily 3pm slump?
8) BETTER SLEEP
Sugar is a stimulant and can make you feel wired. Your cortisol levels go up when you have sugar which inhibits the secretion of the sleep hormone melatonin. Limit your sugar intake and enjoy a much more restful sleep and wake up feeling more refreshed.
9) REDUCED CANCER RISK
Sugar consumption has been linked to many forms of cancers, including breast, ovarian, prostate and lung. Cancer cells actually feed off glucose so ideally we would rather starve those guys!
If sugar is anything like smoking, drugs & alcohol, which everyone knows aren’t good for us but still do anyway, then I wonder if knowing these huge health benefits that your body could have from quitting (or massively reducing) your sugar intake would make any difference?
Understanding on a much deeper level what sugar was doing to my body, the imbalances and issues it already caused at such a young age (my 20’s), and knowing that I could bring my body back to balance by completely transforming my relationship to sugar, was a huge factor for me in reversing my sugar habits.
It doesn’t even feel like I’m denying myself anymore, when I know how much I’ve gained and how nourishing my body with so many other healthy foods makes me feel so vibrant & energetic. It’s nice to know that I have control and that I’m able to make the best choices for me and my body .
What does it actually take for you to say NO to sugar?
Or what will it take?
I would love to hear from you in the comments – will knowing all these benefits help you say NO to sugar?
Think about your big dreams and goals for 2021.
How will sugar support you in those?
If you’re in need of a ‘Sugar Reset’, grab your FREE copy of the Reset + Recharge 3-Day Sugar Detox.
Complete with a 3-day meal plan, done-for-you shopping list, alternative vegan recipes, tips to curb your sugar cravings and how you can take your detox to the next level to give your body the lovin’ that it needs and deserves!
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