The Secret Addiction

One drug that’s causing world-wide health problems, even fatalities in some cases, isn’t a class A – heroine or crack or any of the other designer drugs on the market. In fact this drug is and always will be legal, and no, it isn’t alcohol or nicotine.

This drug, that generations have been addicted to, which is now manifesting itself in over a million new sufferers of diabetic conditions every year is sugar.

Not the natural sugars that occur in fruit and vegetables, but the processed type that turns up in practically every packaged product we buy. Even a tin of soup will probably contain a quantity of sugar. It may be under a different name; dextrose, glucose, etc; but it will still be processed sugar.

The problem is that humans are natural beings and when we feed ourselves with processed food our bodies have to work overtime to digest them properly. This can result in insulin levels being corrupted and lead to sugar intolerances as well as any number of medical conditions; IBS, allergies, heart problems, diabetes and obesity.

Percentage of fats should be taken into consideration in a healthy diet, of course, but in fact the human body can digest or eliminate fats easier than processed sugar.

If you’ve been trying to lose weight, watching the calories and doing your best but never quite managing the course, it may be that sugar is a huge obstacle between you and your ideal body.

Processed sugars give us a quick rush of energy, that’s why we use them. The trouble here is in the come-down, which will unfailingly occur as soon as you’ve burnt off the calorie rush. Then your brain tells you that you need another sugar boost as soon as possible… you know, that moment when you open the fridge without realising you’ve done it.

Eliminating processed sugar from our everyday diet won’t necessarily be an easy task. But it is possible! Buying or growing fresh organic foods and checking packages for sugar content before you buy them is a start, but basically it’s all about mind-set.

Make up your mind to get off the drugs and be healthy!

Allow a month to start re-training your taste buds and, during that month, experience as many different tastes as possible. Really look for new tastes and foods you’ve never tried.

· Grow some herbs and spice up everyday meals

· Use dried fruits to satisfy the ‘sweet’ craving - make sure they haven’t been crystallized. Put a few dates in a freezer bag and pop into the freezer for a couple of hours. They turn into chewy caramels, well almost.

· Buy organic wherever you can

· Research vitamin content in fruits and vegetables, and consider growing your own

Often, when processed sugar is eliminated from the diet, the body feels drawn to fruit. Eat as much fruit as you like, within reason. Better than using it as an attractive feature in the lounge before throwing it away!

Occasionally a small amount of sugar will sneak into your food without you realizing at the time. Don’t worry Be aware and avoid it the next day. After a few weeks, you’ll notice you can sense sugar content before you even taste your food.

It’s very likely there will be a natural weight loss by avoiding sugar. Because the body doesn’t experience the ‘come-downs’, we aren’t tempted by the fridge or larder every five minutes, so we naturally eat less.

Speed up the weight loss:

One other secondary secret addiction that should be mentioned is white processed flour. Not in itself particularly harmful perhaps, but again, because of the processing, it doesn’t easily digest in the body. White flour – present in most pastries and bread, as well as cakes and biscuits – has a very similar effect on the body as white processed sugar. Avoid both and get slim and healthy!

Getting hung up on calorie counting or fad diets can be tiresome and time consuming. A simple decision to eat healthy instead of going for processed foods will result in a healthy body not an ailing or overweight one.