Last Updated on December 6, 2023 by Cathy
Many people already cut back on sugar intake when dieting. But, there are many foods with hidden sugars in their ingredients. Sugar is the most addictive food on the planet, it’s even compared to cocaine or other drug addiction.
Sugar contributes to many health problems. Including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, yeast overgrowth, and so on. Sugar can even cause brain atrophy from the loss of cells, otherwise known as brain shrinkage. Diseases associated with brain atrophy are:
→ Alzheimer’s disease
→ Cerebral palsy
→ Dementia
→ Huntington’s disease
→ Multiple sclerosis
→ including… stroke and traumatic brain injuries
Hidden Sugars
Unfortunately, sugar is everywhere. Food manufacturers hide in their ingredients. Using different names such as dextrose, fructose, or sucrose. Since it’s so addictive, it makes you want to eat more. Soft drinks are the biggest contributor to sugar in your diet.
Plus, stay away from “fat-free” foods, they usually have more added sugars for flavor. Sugar triggers the dopamine receptors causing that “feel good” moment. That’s usually why people eat foods high in sugar, like ice cream when feeling depressed.
Having an autoimmune disease you may also have yeast overgrowth and too much bad bacteria in your gut. Both of these feed on sugar helping them to grow and wreak havoc throughout your entire body.
To learn more about Candida, read: The Connection Between MS and Candida
To learn more about Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), read: What is SIBO?
Today, we’re eating up to 170 pounds each year, compared to only 2 pounds in the year 1800. For your health, you should try to reduce the amount of sugar you consume each day. And if you’re addicted, it’s going to be hard.
I know this from experience! When I discovered I had a severe overgrowth of Candida I cut out most natural sugars. Those sugar cravings were extremely hard to ignore. I didn’t even realize how addicted I was to sugar until I cut it out.
The bad thing about quitting sugar, it causes sugar withdrawal. It can put you in a bad mood, and make you feel hungry, worn out, and drowsy. This is when people usually head for an afternoon sugar boost but you have to resist the temptation. To help you out I’ve included four tips that will help you easily cut back on sugar – starting today.
1 – Recognize Sugar Hidden On Labels
As I mentioned earlier, food manufacturers hide sugar by using different names. The easiest way to avoid them is by avoiding processed foods and any ingredient you don’t recognize. When buying food, always read labels. Even organic foods can have hidden sugars in them.
Names for Sugar:
Brown sugar
Corn syrup
Dextrose
Fructose
Fruit juice concentrate
Glucose
High-fructose corn syrup
Honey
Lactose
Maltose
Molasses
Sugar
Syrup
2 – Moderation
It’s okay to eat an occasional treat that includes sugar. Just make sure you don’t go overboard by eating too much in one day. It also helps by keeping foods that are high in sugar out of your house. Pineapples, pears, and bananas are very high in natural sugars, so it’s best to eat these on occasion. Berries have the lowest amount of sugar and the highest amount of antioxidants.
Some people may need to go more strict due to Candida. If so, you can count the number of carbohydrates (carbs break down into sugar) you eat in one meal. Eating between 45-60 grams of carbohydrates per meal is a good place to start.
As you begin to cut back on sugar, you will also stabilize your blood sugar levels. You’ll feel more energized, improve your memory, and minimize your risk of heart disease. Our son is a type 1 diabetic and we see what the effects of high or low blood sugar levels can do to a person on a bigger scale.
3 – Eat More Fat
Hunger is the most common cause of sugar cravings. When you’re hungry it’s too easy to grab something that’s high in sugar for that quick satisfaction. By keeping plenty of healthy foods around you, it will also keep sugar cravings at bay. Don’t keep foods high in sugar and carbohydrates around. Instead, keep lots of foods higher in healthy fats.
4 – Stress
You’re probably wondering what stress has to do with sugar. Sugar clams the feelings of stress by lowering cortisol. But, it’s a short fix making you reach for more sugar, stress also produces cortisol. When you’re constantly stressed it’s constantly producing cortisol. Candida feeds on any kind of sugar and that includes cortisol. It’s a vicious cycle.
Although the brain needs glucose (sugar), having too much is not good overall. Over a long period of time of eating high levels of sugar, it takes its toll on your brain. It causes inflammation to the brain affecting your memory, mood, and the ability to stay calm. High levels of sugar also cause brain atrophy.
Cut Back On Sugar Starting Today
You should start to cut back on sugar starting today! Keep plenty of snacks on hand like cut up vegetables or avocados. It helps if you eat smaller meals to keep you feeling full longer. If needed eat five smaller meals rather than three larger meals each day. Learn to use different herbs to add more flavor to your meals.
Take it slow, going cold turkey just makes you crave sugar even more. By gradually reducing your sugar intake it will make your life a lot happier. After 2-3 week’s you should be feeling much better and not be craving any sugars.
