Sugar Shock - Tumblr Posts
A friendly reminder that a sugar addiction is STILL an addiction.
A sugar addiction is worse than people realize. In fact it is one of the most common addiction. yet for some reason it is widely brushed under the rug.
People may experience unpleasant symptoms when they initially cut sugar from their diets. These can include:
cravings for sweet or high calorie foods
headaches
lack of energy
muscle aches
nausea
bloating
stomach cramps
irritability or anxiety
feeling down or depressed
These symptoms are usually mild and temporary. They should subside without treatment after the body adjusts to lower sugar intake.
Withdrawal
Numerous scientific studies have found evidence to suggest that sugar produces physiological and behavioral effects, similar to those caused by addictive drugs.
In a 2016 animal study, researchers found that long term exposure to high quantities of sugar causes brain changes, similar to those associated with nicotine addiction.
Several animal studies have found that when deprived of sugar, rats showed opiate withdrawal symptoms, such as anxious behavior and a decrease in dopamine release. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that controls pleasure and reward-motivated behavior.
When people drastically reduce their sugar intake, they may experience withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, cravings, and mood changes. These should go away within a few days or weeks.
Treatments
Many of the symptoms associated with sugar detoxes occur as a result of fluctuating blood sugar levels. When a person eats sugar, their body breaks it down into glucose, which the cells use for energy.
In most cases, consuming sugar causes and an initial boost of energy followed by a rapid decrease in energy, or a blood sugar “crash.” People can minimize the adverse effects of sugar detoxing by regulating their blood sugar. Eating regularly and including more fiber in the diet can help avoid spikes and drops in blood sugar and decrease cravings.
Tips for cutting out sugar safely
Glucose is the primary and preferred source of fuel for the brain and body.
However, many people can benefit from reducing their added sugar intake by instead choosing fruits and vegetables, which provide vitamins, minerals, fiber, and naturally occurring sugar for energy. Including fibrous, complex carbohydrates can help deter cravings and minimize a sugar withdrawal.
People can increase their chances of success, reduce cravings, and minimize sugar withdrawal symptoms by using the following tips:
Avoid the following foods and drinks:
Sugar-sweetened beverages: Sodas, fruit juices, and energy drinks are the leading sources of added sugars, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Drink water and unsweetened coffee or tea instead
Candies and sweets: These food items contain high quantities of added sugar. Try replacing them with fresh fruit.
Baked goods: Cakes, cookies, and even certain types of bread contain added sugars. Avoid these refined carbohydrates as much as possible.
Low fat foods: Food advertised as low fat or fat free often contain added sugars to offset the missing fat.
Combat cravings by:
Eating more protein: Animal and plant-based protein sources can help regulate the appetite, according to one 2014 study.
Snacking on fresh fruits: People who experience intense sugar carvings can satisfy their sweet tooth with a piece of fresh fruit. Unlike candy bars and cookies, fruits contain naturally occurring sugars and fiber. Learn about low sugar fruits here.
Getting enough sleep: A lack of sleep may cause cravings for unhealthful foods, according to one 2018 study.
Relaxing and avoiding stress: The findings from this 2015 study suggest that chronic stress may contribute to food cravings.
When you eat excess sugar, the extra insulin in your bloodstream can affect your arteries all over your body. It causes their walls to get inflamed, grow thicker than normal and more stiff, this stresses your heart and damages it over time. This can lead to heart disease, like heart failure, heart attacks, and strokes.
Throughout the body, excess sugar is harmful. Even a single instance of elevated glucose in the bloodstream can be harmful to the brain, resulting in slowed cognitive function and deficits in memory and attention. The good news, however, is this inflammatory damage from sugar may not be permanent.
Keep sugary foods away. Don't tempt yourself by stocking candy, cookies, and other high-sugar foods in your cupboards and fridge. "As a substitute for these things, keep fruit around," suggests Dr. Hauser.
Sweeten foods yourself. Start with unsweetened iced tea, plain yogurt, and unflavored oatmeal. Then add your own sweetener. No matter how much sweetener you add, you probably won't put in as much as the manufacturer would have, according to Dr. Hauser.
Watch for hidden sugars in foods. Be wary of foods where sugar tends to hide, including reduced-fat products. "When companies take out the fat, they add back almost all the calories in sugar," Dr. Hauser says. Read labels. Avoid products that list sugar as the first ingredient or that contain several different types of sugar (brown sugar, cane nectar, etc.)—it's one way manufacturers avoid having sugar listed as the first ingredient.
Eat breakfast. Start out your day with a filling, nutritious meal, so you'll be less likely to give in to cravings. Steel-cut oatmeal, eggs, and fruit are all good breakfast choices.
"When you get used to eating fewer super-sweet things, you crave them less," Dr. Hauser says. "You become more satisfied with less sweet things." You also won't feel guilty on those less frequent occasions when you do splurge.
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