To determine whether a person was of normal weight, overweight, or obese, it’s common to measure a person’s BMI (Body Mass Index). The body mass index is calculated using height and weight only. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story, and in...
You got stressed out. Your unhealthy in-laws came for a visit. Your child was hospitalized. There’s a big project due at work and you’re on a deadline and working 14 hours a day. Your mother fell and broke her hip. Your adult child moved back in. You were sick. Your partner has expressed displeasure and is blaming you. A relative has passed away and you are grieving.
If this wasn’t bad enough, you’ve found yourself back into your favorite sugary treats, you’re gaining weight, and you feel even worse. You can’t figure out how to get out of this horrible cycle of weight gain, self-judgment and shame.
Sometimes there is no obvious stress. You didn’t even notice until your clothes started feeling tight.
There is no reason to feel ashamed.
There is a good reason why you feel powerless and out of control. Scientific research clearly shows that sugar is a powerful drug.
In the brain, sugar increases dopamine levels that control the brain's pleasure responses, exactly like many drugs of abuse – such as tobacco, cocaine and morphine. As sugar addiction progresses, the increased dopamine leads to the opposite, a reduction in dopamine levels. Then you need higher amounts of sugar to get the same level of reward.
One or 2 cookies doesn’t do it anymore. You need 5 or 6 – or more - before you feel satisfied enough to stop.
Sugar is so powerful, it is 8 times more addictive than cocaine. Is it any wonder people suffer daily cravings for sugar?
Eighty percent of processed foods contain added sugar. So this means 80% of processed foods are actually what I call “edible drugs.” Edible recreational, soothing, pain-relieving drugs. No joke.
In order to get off sugar, you will need to go through sugar detox as your brain chemistry rebalances itself.
Congratulations!
You have beat one of the most powerful addictions known!
Once off sugar, you want to stay that way right? Here are some hints for long-term success.
The key to getting off sugar is to remember that it’s a drug. Some call it “the other white powder.” Respect it. Avoid it. Teach others what you know!
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