Sugar: 6 signs You Are More Addicted Than You Think!

I would not describe myself as someone with a sweet tooth. I can overlook a good many desserts and treats and at a glance I seem very in control of my sugar, but looks can be deceiving! 

Last November my hubby and I did the Ultimate Reset which is a specific and detailed nutrition plan paired with supplements to completely reboot your system. What I learned was that I was way more addicted to sugar than I knew because sugar is in EVERYTHING these days! From bread to salad dressing we are constantly being fed sugar in blatant and deceitful ways. When you are focused on not consuming any sugar and eating a vegan diet, you learn a lot of what we consider "normal" in this culture! I highly recommend the Ultimate Reset for a fresh start and fresh perspective. Here are some things I noticed about my sugar addiction:

1. Sugar consumption leads to constant state of fatigue. Do you wake up tired before your feet hit the ground? I noticed almost immediately that I was sleeping better and waking up more refreshed when sugar was taken out of the equation. The excuses that I was giving into over my 4 year old not sleeping well actually had more to do with the amount of sugar I allowed in our house and it was still MUCH lower than most American households! Feeling tired all the time is a common sign of eating too much added sugar.

2. You feel "snacky" often. If you feel hungry shortly after eating meals and in between meals, it can be a sign that you are eating too much sugar. Excessive intake of sugar often displaces other, more nutrient-dense foods and sugar laden foods and drinks are often empty of nutrients or calories if you are consuming fake sugars which leaves you still feeling hungry because your body is screaming for proper nutrition.

3. You seem to catch every bug going around.  If you are constantly getting sick, it's possible that you are consuming too much sugar. Sugar can suppress the immune system leading to repeated illness!

4. You can't seem to control your emotions. Do you find yourself frustrated often, snapping at your spouse or children or unable to handle normal everyday stresses? Unfortunately, sugar, though it gives us pleasure when we eat it, can negatively impact our move when its consumed in excess.  Both depression and anxiety are linked to added sugar. Added sugars cause inflammation throughout the body, including the brain, and cause spikes in blood sugar, which can also affect mood.

5. You crave sugar constantly. You know what I am talking about! You finish a sleeve of oreos and throw the rest in the trash, start your new diet with powerful intention and by midnight you are pulling the package out of the trash! We are addicted! Constant sugar cravings are the most common sign of overconsumption. Do you crave sugar and carb treats throughout the day? If so, chances are, you are addicted to sugar. Unfortunately, the more you eat, the more you’ll crave.

6. Your progress has plateaued. This is a common occurrence! You start your nutrition plan and work out regiment and you STICK TO IT! You are having progress for awhile and you are feeling good about it and then....suddenly the scale won't budge and you stop seeing results even though you are working really hard! The hard truth is that all calories are not created equal! If you are still consuming a fair amount of sugar or fake sugars in your diet, you are more than likely going to stall out. Start looking for healthy ways to sweeten your food. Replace sugar in your tea with honey.  Or maple syrup in your favorite cookie recipes. Toss the sugar filled yogurt for greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup as well. There are a lot of ways to make your favorite treats enjoyable and better for your progress.

A word to the wise: Stop consuming fake sugar. Our culture has ingrained in us that zero calories is a good thing but the science behind that doesn't hold up! When you consume fake sugar, your body responds with producing insulin to bond to the sugar to process it but there is nothing there to bond to, so then the body craves sugar and carbs to deal with the insulin and its a downward spiral for you! Don't cut corners! Eat real foods, enjoy real sugar in moderation, pay attention to how your body feels after you eat certain foods, notice when you feel tired, gross, angry for no reason, and track that back to your nutrition choices!  You were designed to feel amazing! Don't settle for less! 

​