Much of what I write about here on Nutrition Fitness Life deals with changing my focus from simply looking thin to improving my overall health. Part of this goal includes the desire to conquer my sugar addiction and clean up my diet.
To help me squash my insatiable sweet tooth, I've been following the guidelines set forth in the book, Potatoes, Not Prozac. I'm currently eating meals at regular intervals, with protein. I'm also working on including more veggies and whole grains. And I've slowly, but significantly cut back on the amount of sugar I've been consuming. In essence, I'm putting more emphasis on eating whole foods.
So now the real question? Has all this been worth the time, effort, and even money? Have I been able to tame the beast that is my sweet tooth?
Absolutely, and
Slowly.
I'm not 100% off sugar, and, at this point, I don't know if I ever will be. However! I feel leaps and bounds better than I had been before beginning my quest to overcome the Sugar Monster (Cookie Monster's very evil twin???)
It has been worth it simply because, regardless of my sugar cravings, I'm now actually feeding my body nutritious foods. In the past, my diet consisted primarily of carbs, lots and lots of carbs, and many were processed and refined, with all the nutrients and fiber sucked out of them. It wasn't uncommon for me to eat scoops of fat free ice cream or a huge bowl of Honeycomb cereal for lunch! Vegetables received attention on occasion, but protein was almost unheard of in my diet!
I wasn't underfed; I was undernourished, and I believe this contributed to my intense, almost manic, sugar cravings. I can imagine the cells of my body screaming, "Hey, we're dying here! Give us something to work with!"
I've since taken a more open minded view of protein and got to know and make friends with it. Now you'll find me scouring the produce section for new vegetables to try or learning where the local farmer's markets are. Chicken, fish, cheese, and eggs are regulars at lunchtime. I enjoy cooking healthier meals and experimenting with different herbs and spices. I've always enjoyed baking, but now I've noticed a burgeoning passion for cooking with healthier, fresher ingredients. That excites me!
Calm. That's the word that is most prominent in my mind when I compare to how I am now to who I was in the past. The intense sugar highs and crashes, shakiness, and desperation have been weakening in the past few months, and I feel like I truly can conquer my sweet tooth.
Yes, it was, and is, definitely worth the effort. I can't say it has been easy all the time or even fun, but the more I make my diet changes a habit, the easier (and more enjoyable) it gets. And my sugar saga isn't over yet. I'm curious to see how my sugar cravings pan out in the months to come. I'm hoping they will grow dimmer and dimmer.
Photo credits: fdecomite, Idcross
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14 comments ↓
Good for you! It’s encouraging to see you kick the sugar habit. It gives me hope that it can be done!
That’s so good to hear! I love the way it gets easier and really enjoyable as time passes and you get more used to these kinds of changes. But for me I don’t think I’ve altered my sugar intake that drastically of late; its just that its all about 99% naturally-occurring sugars from fruit and the like.
Also I might have to look into reading that book. You’ve got me all interested in it now:)
Lynnae,
Thank you very much! Well, I can’t say that I’ve licked it completely, but I’m consuming A LOT less sugar than I used to, and I feel much better! I can actually be in the same room as a dessert now and not feel compelled to eat it!
If you told me that I would be able to do this months ago, I would have just laughed and not believed it!
Sagan,
Some days are still tough, but overall it’s getting easier and easier to avoid those crazy sugar cravings. I’ve still got some work to do, though.
You can certainly give the book a read. I think it’s especially helpful for those who are just stuck on sugar and can’t break free from it. The biggest part of breaking the sugar habit is what we eat. Eating the right foods at the right time helps tremendously.
I like that – undernourished, not underfed. I think we can also be overfed and undernourished. And that’s not good either. You’re right that this isn’t always easy, but the thing is, your health is so important to a good quality of life. And you’re doing the right things!
Good for you! It’s encouraging to hear that you are eating healthily and feeling better for it.
The Bag Lady needs to whip herself into eating more veggies. She’s so darned lazy….
Lance,
True, one can be overfed yet undernourished – definitely not good!
Bag Lady,
Thanks! Yes, eating vegetables doesn’t come naturally to me, but I do like them a lot better now.
I love your use of the word CALM
entirely me after I culled the bulk of the processed white from my world.
Great accomplishment!
congratulations! This gives me hope, as somedays I am convinced I really AM cookie monster!
Need to get this book….
I love that first sentence.
and the rest….but mainly the first.
Good job! Once you focus on the fact you DESERVE to be healthy instead of thinking that you arent good enough you will be SO much happier!
http://www.groundedfitness.com
Thank you EVERYONE! You give me so much encouragement, so I owe much of my progress to you.
Hopefully I will continue to improve and stomp out my sugar cravings!
I love hearing success stories! And I don’t think it’s possible for normal people to NOT crave and eat a little sugar sometimes… it’s the escalation and addictive nature of it that’s the problem. Keeping it in it’s place is a huge accomplishment!
Crabby,
Thanks! And yes, you’re absolutely right!
I imagine keeping sugar in it’s place will always be something I have to pay extra attention to, but hey, at least I’m now aware of that fact and know I CAN actually put it in it’s place!
Well done you should be very proud.
I think its a common problem. Most people’s diets lack protein and consist of way too many carbs.
Keep it going.
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