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RISING WOMEN EXPERT
ADVICE...
Should I be concerned about my sugar
habit?
Are you a sugarholic? Do you crave sugar and cannot go a day without it?
There are many among us who are sugar sensitive, unaware that it’s an
addiction like any other. Sugar acts like a drug in the body and affects the
very same brain chemicals that morphine, heroin and amphetamines do.
Statistics says that we each consume on the average of 150 pounds of sugar a
year, and each can of pop contains about 17 teaspoons of sugar. We add it to
everything, and it’s even added to meat. Did you know some salt contains
sugar too? The problem is that sugar upsets your body’s vital chemistry,
plus it affects the endocrine and immune systems. Many diseases such as
diabetes, osteoporosis, hypoglycemia, headaches, allergies and obesity are
caused by excess sugar consumption. In the body, sugar creates a mineral
imbalance which affects digestive enzymes and creates indigestion too. Are
you are ignoring your body’s signal of upset and toxicity? If so it could
lead to longer-term health issues, so it may be time to do something about
it.
In the early 1900's in Europe, sugar was such a rare commodity it was locked
up at night in a safe. Today, we put loaded spoonfuls in our cereal and
coffee. We learn early as children to associate sweets with treats. Some
parents give sweets to pacify children rather than meeting their real needs.
We have been brainwashed to want sugar. We associate it with emotions, and
now we are hooked. In fact, people under stress eat more sweets and “treat”
themselves, and it’s only after weight gain or health issues that they are
forced to make some changes. Over-consumption not only affects your weight
but also your state of mind, as there is a connection to chronic depression
too.
So what can we do to fight back and turn this addiction around? Lifestyle
changes and stress management are a good first step. Always keep your blood
sugar stable by eating meals that contain protein and eat at regular
intervals. This satiety will stabilize your blood sugar, moods and energy
will be more even. Eat enough food so that you feel satisfied and don’t be
tempted to avoid food, as you will end up craving more later in the day.
If you drink a lot of pop consider a substitution fast. Decrease the
consumption by considering opting for carbonated water with some diluted
real fruit juice instead. Meditation and Clinical Hypnotherapy are also very
successful. With Hypnosis, we can turn the mind off the desire to eat sugar
by using aversion techniques.
To beat your sugar addiction or other habits, call Claire Bramham, Clinical
Hypnotherapist at Mind & Body Therapy 403.397.0011.
www.mindandbodytherapy.ca
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