I’m fantasizing about Caramilk. Yes, yes I am. I’m imagining the deliciousness of the milk chocolate that I would love to bite into, as well as the ooey gooey goodness (perhaps that’s not the right word?) of the soft caramel inside. Uh oh, my mouth’s watering.
It’s funny how when you give up something, you begin to crave the worst sources of that particular thing. In my case, I’ve decided to stop consuming refined sugar. Now you may think, well that can’t be THAT hard for a nutritionist to do. Sure, this sounds like an accurate statement, but let me tell you, it doesn’t apply to me. You see, I’m a real person. Mmhmm, a human being. That means that I get cravings just like you, and sometimes I even act out my fantasies (you know, the ones that involve foods that are not exactly healing, or even healthy for that matter). Look, I know how bad those foods are for me, but sometimes I get into this mode of incessant cravings, and I look past the “bad” factor, and I indulge. And enjoy. However, I know this is an extremely unhealthy habit, since one indulgence for me leads to the next, and on and on it goes until I have diabetes and can no longer fit through the door. Okay, not really, but if I don’t do something about it now, that is the road I will be on.
I’ve done this whole giving-up-sugar-thing before (you may remember this), but, as I even mentioned in the article, some people can’t settle for just a taste. I, unfortunately for me and my pancreas, am one of those people. I cannot settle for just a taste. When I get a bite of something delicious, I want more! More! MORE! So the best choice for me is to avoid, avoid, avoid.
So which sugars am I giving up? Because yes, there are SO many! Well, I’m definitely avoiding the white stuff, as that is one of the worst kinds (and I must say, the most addictive, at least in my experience). I’m also avoiding brown sugar, evaporated cane juice, corn syrup, maltodextrin, fructose, glucose, sucrose, and dextrose. Have I missed any? Whatever… you get the gist.
Do you know that companies test their products for not only taste, but also texture and mouth feel? (WTF? Like really? That’s what you do? Thanks. Thanks a lot.) They strive to create the most delicious, delectable food you’ve ever laid your taste buds on. And, if we get addicted to the food, we’re going to want to buy it again and again, and how great is that for them? Well guess what? I want to do something great for my body, not for anyone else’s pockets. This addiction stops here.
While I am giving up highly refined sugars, I am still consuming natural ones every so often. They contain some vitamins and minerals, and thus don’t rob my body of these nutrients like more refined sugars do, and they are also metabolized more easily. These natural sugars include honey (especially raw honey), maple syrup or crystals, coconut nectar or sugar, sucanat, brown rice syrup, and of course, stevia, which doesn’t raise the blood sugar level at all. Keep in mind that while I am choosing to consume these natural sugars, I am limiting it to an occasional treat, like, say, if I’m baking something, I may use coconut nectar or sucanat as the sweetener. At the same time, I’m not being too strict with myself. I generally try to avoid crazy people, and I’d rather not become one myself. 🙂
Don’t get me wrong; I am being realistic. If I notice one of the “bad” sugars on an ingredient list, I won’t buy that item or eat that food. But, if I’m at a friend’s house for dinner, I’m not going to ask to see ingredient lists from every single item that went into the meal. Please. I try to avoid maniacal tendencies, at least where possible.
I already notice my taste buds changing; foods taste sweeter to me and I can actually taste their real, true flavours. It’s not that I consumed sugar all the time before, but it’s hidden in so many foods that it can be hard to get away from.
This self-professed sugarholic has given up her poison, and believe me that there will be many crazy episodes in the ensuing months. Don’t worry… you will hear all of the gory details. 🙂
If you haven’t yet read about my sugar addiction, or just my sugar rantings in general, you can read all about it here:
Apples vs. Low-Fat 100-Calorie Pretzels
The Sugar Shack
Cravings Shmavings
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