| Consuming sugar temporarily elevates the levels | | | | reaction very similar to the "high" of a drug addict, |
| of certain neurotransmitters in our bodies. Do you | | | | consuming sugar also causes our blood sugar |
| know what neurotransmitters are? They are | | | | levels to rise quickly and then plummet back |
| "feel-good" chemicals. Two of the major | | | | down just as fast, resulting in a craving for more |
| "feel-good" chemicals released by eating sugar are: | | | | sugar. This is a desperate (and futile) attempt of |
| 1. Dopamine, which releases chemicals including | | | | our body to keep the blood sugar in balance. |
| endorphins that give us a feeling of pleasure | | | | What Can I Do To Curb My Sugar Cravings? |
| 2. Serotonin, which produces a feeling of well | | | | The best way to curb sugar cravings is to aim |
| being. | | | | for a stable blood sugar. You can do this by |
| We also tend to eat sugary treats for a quick | | | | avoiding sugary treats and drinks like candy, soda |
| rush of energy to get us through the day. Of | | | | and even fruit drinks. Instead try sweetening your |
| course we also enjoy the sweet taste of sugar. | | | | foods and drinks with stevia. Please avoid any |
| Eating sweet treats like a candy bar or a cookie | | | | artificial sweeteners. |
| unconsciously brings back simpler more enjoyable | | | | Craving sweets is also often an indication of a |
| days of our childhood. | | | | lack of certain nutrients such as chromium, |
| Grabbing a sugary treat is a common stress | | | | carbon, phosphorus, sulphur and tryptophan. Let's |
| response for many adults. It's a behavior we | | | | take a look at what foods you should be eating |
| have been practicing since we were children. | | | | to make sure you get enough of these nutrients. |
| When we had a rough day at school, mom would | | | | Chromium – eat broccoli, grapes, cheese, dried |
| fix it with a plate of homemade cookies and a | | | | beans and chicken |
| glass of milk. Now when we are stressed, we run | | | | Carbon – eat fresh fruit |
| to the vending machine or grab a cheesecake on | | | | Phosphorus – eat chicken, beef, liver, poultry, |
| the way home. | | | | fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes and grains |
| Is Sugar Really Dangerous Or Addictive? | | | | Sulphur – eat cranberries, horseradish, |
| Yes and No. Our body needs limited amounts of | | | | cruciferous vegetables, kale and cabbage |
| sugar as a quick source of energy, but not in the | | | | Tryptophan – eat cheese, liver, lamb, raisins, |
| amounts our society as a whole has been | | | | sweet potato and spinach. |
| consuming sugar. It is also a good idea to stay | | | | If you find yourself drawn to sweets as a |
| away from white table sugar as much as possible. | | | | response to stress, your first step of action |
| This refined sugar has almost no nutritional value | | | | should be to try to eliminate the stress. If you |
| other than the "empty" calories it provides. Some | | | | have an argument with your spouse, talk things |
| people refer to white sugar as "white death". | | | | out. If you are stressed in your job, schedule a |
| Eating fresh fruits is a much better way to give in | | | | meeting with your boss to see if you can get |
| to our sweet tooth, get the sugars our bodies | | | | more time, more resources or an assistant. |
| need while also absorbing an array of other | | | | Sometimes eliminating the cause of stress isn't an |
| nutrients, vitamins, minerals and micronutrients. | | | | option. In that case, try to exercise. Go for a |
| The high consumption of sugar in the western | | | | brisk walk, join your local gym or work out with |
| world is leading to an increase in health conditions | | | | your favorite exercise video at home. Not only |
| from diabetes to obesity. | | | | will the exercise help you blow off some stream, |
| Is sugar addictive? Yes – not only do we get | | | | it also releases some of the same |
| addicted to the neurotransmitters that are | | | | neurotransmitters that the consumption of sugar |
| released by the consumption of sugar, which is a | | | | does – without the empty calories. |