Do You Have A Sweet Tooth?
The next three posts, we’ll tour through some big nutritional areas. While all are important, I wanted to start with sugar. Sugar is the simplest, yet for many it is most difficult thing to give up.
The Risks of Sugar Consumption
Excess sugar consumption is a risk factor for depression, anxiety, and is even a strong factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. A new study just reinforced its influence in creating depression.
Balancing blood sugar and helping your body process it efficiently can also help lower inflammation, one of the main contributors to depression. When your blood sugar experiences peaks, then dips after a high sugar load meal, the adrenal glands produce more cortisol to bring your blood sugar back up. This often leads to anxiety, but can counteract the relaxation work we are already incorporating.
Breaking The Addiction
Sugar lights up the same region in your brain as other addictions such as cocaine and methamphetamine. While many can give it up easily, others need more of a structured plan.
My suggestion for action today is to simply pay attention to how your body feels with sugar and how much sugar you are consuming. If possible, total up the grams you consume per day. Watch out for hidden sources and ingredients like “cane syrup, corn sugar, evaporated cane juice”.
In addition, pay attention to how you feel after eating pasta, a baked potato, pizza and bread. Do you get tired before or after a meal? Is it harder to concentrate right before lunch or dinner? Is there a difference if you eat a breakfast higher in protein and healthy fats for breakfast vs. cereal, french toast or pancakes? Maybe you’ve even been told you are “pre-diabetic”? Listen to the blood sugar clues and see what you hear.
As always, the message is balance! Here’s to continuing to find yours.
