My Healthy Habits

If you’re not a believer that sugar addiction is a real and possibly quite harmful issue facing society these days, you likely don’t even need to take a look at other individuals around you to discover the truth, as you might have experience “first hand” with this wide-spread and difficult addiction yourself. It has been estimated by a variety of experts that most individuals who regularly enjoy a typical Western diet consume an amount of sugar which far exceeds the recommended maximum limit almost every day, and a surprising number of individuals still discount the debilitating effects - and the side effects too, that this particular product usually delivers.

It is important to note that simple and refined sugars are really not necessary for our bodies to function. There are quite a bit of naturally occurring complex sugars found within many complex carbohydrates and whole foods, and a sensible balanced diet will supply us with the necessary vital energy to function extremely well. Unfortunately for people everywhere, simple sugars are found - in large quantities, in an incredible number of everyday foods and drinks, most often added to improve the flavor, but sometimes simply to assist with increasing the shelf life of the products.

If you find you cannot get through your morning or afternoon without a can of soda, or even many of them, you likely have a sugar dependence and perhaps even a sugar addiction. Many experts disagree as to what a sugar addiction in itself might be, whether it might be a fixation on the actual taste or on the short-term energy rush, often referred to as a sugar high. Other individuals look to the main ingredient of white refined sugar, as it’s nearly identical to alcohol, with an insignificant nutritional value as an empty caloric food, just as with alcohol. Once again, like beer, wine or liquor, it relies on the depletion of your vitamin and mineral resources in order to be metabolized.

To be quite clear about sugar addiction, you need to develop an approach to holistic nutrition and understand that every element of your diet must be moderated. Too much sugar creates an overstimulation of the neuro-transmitters within your brain, leading to an over tolerance and the hardwiring of your receptors to expect more and more of the same.

If you find that you have been suffering from depression or mood swings, or that your family, friends or partner accuses you of being irrational and irritable, you should take a cold hard look at your sugar intake. It will be necessary to refer to the nutrition labels on all foods that you consume. You will become an expert in deciphering all those figures and should especially look for references to glucose, fructose, sucrose or lactose within. Most sensible holistic health solutions encourage you not to focus on snack diets or eating “on the fly,” but rather to assume control over your own destiny.

We are constantly being told that we need to cut down on fats within our diet. Saturated fats are a major enemy and we must always check on cholesterol levels and focus on heart health. We also need to pay particular attention to our sugar addiction, as there is a very long list of potential health problems awaiting us if we don’t.