As a sugar addict, I know how hard it is to give up an addiction to sugar. When I tried a short No Sugar Challenge, I felt withdrawal symptoms that made me realize how addicted I had become. I literally felt sick the first few days and even noticed that I was feeling depressed without sugar.
After a couple of days, you start to really taste the food you are eating. Fruits and vegetables become more vibrant.
It’s good to know the harmful benefits of sugar such as increased risk of illness and wrinkles. The hard part is looking deep within yourself to find the stories you are telling yourself, your past history, and even acknowledging the millions of dollars corporations spend to keep us addicted to unhealthy substances that are added to a variety of everyday foods.
An important piece of the puzzle is addressing our craving for more sweetness in our lives. Maybe you reach for sugar when you feel lonely, stressed, or bored. This is a chance to ask for what you really need. Looking back on my long history with severe acne, I can see places where I used sugar to soothe my feelings of feeling hopeless about my situation. I relied on sugar at the end of long school days when I felt that people were staring at me. It had become like a friend. I don’t think I thought about this consciously. It just became a part of my life, where it was normal to have dessert or treats several times a day, without thinking about it. I would also have candy stashes as part of my daily habit. I loved the ritual of looking forward to having something sweet and had to carry chocolate with me, even when I would travel. The constant search for my next dessert became a part of my routine.
I had to brainstorm substitutes for sugary treats in the beginning. I would have a list of activities I would try, and then if I still craved something sweet, I would give myself permission to indulge as an occasional treat. I knew I was choosing in a mindful way. I knew that having a long talk with a good friend would reduce my cravings. Other times, it helped me to treat myself to at-home spa day. Your list will change over time, but knowing you are not helpless is empowering. Look at the deeper needs that you are craving in your life and create new rituals.
You can reduce a dependence on sugar. The long-term health benefits will outweigh indulging your sweet tooth constantly. You will create greater balance in your body and overall health. It’s totally worth the initial cravings and discomfort!
