I Love You
Sugar was the love of my life. After all, I was introduced and hooked at a very early age. In fact, we could even call our relationship a pre-arranged marriage because the fondness with my family goes waaaay back. Growing up, desserts were an everyday staple. Soda was equivalent to table water and consumed daily by the liters. I really love sugar. I could have it every day. And who could blame me? It is said to be more addictive than cocaine. I will take their word on that one.

Saying “I Don’t”
When the busiest seasons of my life started showing up along with extra stress and fatigue, I coped by gravitating towards fruit juice as a quick fix of energy and instant happy. In more subdued times, I tend to stay on the wagon more easily. However, more recently I have enjoyed incorporating the practice of deliberately staying away from the sweet stuff during tempting tumultuous times. From an intellectual standpoint, sugar has lost its appeal. If not for the science, for the real feel. It leaves me drained, foggy, grumpy and feeling empty. I deserve more, and certainly, my family deserves more from me!

The more sugar is consumed, the more it is craved. The best solution is ditching refined sugar cold turkey.

The Ugly
Though sugar satisfies that pleasure center of the brain, remembering the evil sugar does in the body helps when that craving comes around.

Here are some nasty truths about the consumption of sugar:

  • Increases the chance of kidney stones
  • Causes inflammation, the root of disease
  • Feeds cancer cells and pathogens
  • Damages the brain and increases chances of Alzheimer’s
  • Weight… What?
  • Messes up the gut bacteria ratio, and therefore your neurotransmitter production
  • Causes inevitable and unavoidable fatigue
  • Causes yo-yo blood sugar and risks pre or full-on diabetic state
  • Associated with heart disease

After the Break-up
Giving up sugar takes practice. It takes a strong mindset. It takes planning. Here are some tips that might help sustain you on the daily.

Gum
To keep your mouth moving, satisfied and feeling fresh- try some gum. Since artificial sugar can cause just as many problems, go for a tooth-friendly variety made from xylitol. My favorite is Spry- cinnamon or peppermint- but they make a fruity flavor the kids love. Vitamin Shoppe carries it in a bulk canister or individual packs. Online is an option too.

Flavored Sparkling Waters
Keeping some cans in the fridge is a wonderful cold treat. My favorite brand is Greenwise by Publix. Questionable ingredients have been found in some other popular brands lately, according to recent news.

Fiber Filled Fruit
Treat yourself to some fresh seasonal fruit during the afternoon slump. Or try some frozen wild blueberries for a low glycemic fruit snack. Likewise, eating a date when you have to have sugar might just do the trick. I like to keep a bag in the fridge- just in case.

Limiting Sweet Treats
If you are going to partake on specified and/or limited occasions, keeping sugar consumption within a limited time frame can help you get your blood sugar back on track quicker. But be forewarned, it may not even taste good anymore. Taste buds adjust to the no sugar too! A little starts to go a long way.

New Loves
As you branch out to healthier foods and nutrient dense veggies, take notice of what really tastes good, now, in this season. Because our body chemistry constantly adapts, often what tastes good to us does too. Recently, my new “crack” food is celery. Working out more, I need more sodium. Many years ago, it was coconut water, when I needed those electrolytes.

I would love to hear what new and recent discoveries your body is signaling to you!

Best health,
Kathryn

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About the Author

Kathryn van Zwieten

Kathryn van Zwieten is a Natural Health & Life Coach, Researcher, Lecturer, Author, Creative Chef, and Executive Director of Healing Harvest, L.L.C. Known as a visionary and entrepreneur, Kathryn fuses her high creativity and passion to bring the education of natural and restorative healing to many.  She inspires others to live a healthy lifestyle, by having learned from her own miraculous healings and those of her children, as she shares the latest scientific truths and giftedly guides others to fill in missing gaps in their own health journey. Helping others achieve their ‘highest human potential’ is her mission. Her favorite question is, “What is humanly possible?”- because she is ready to trail blaze to find out. 

Kathryn’s most passionate areas of interest include human brain development beginning in the womb, biological pathway communication (cellular and relational), mitochondrial restoration, the gut/brain axis connection, epigenetics/nutrigenomics, genetic SNPs, consciousness and quantum physics.   

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