Do you have a sweet tooth? You are far from alone. Many of us do. Sugary treats are sweet and delicious. But beware! Anything more than the rare treat can wreak havoc on our bodies. Sugar lowers our pH levels making our bodies an ideal environment for cancer proliferation and disease. It rots our teeth, ages our skin and often leads to weight gain. Increased sugar in the blood stream taxes the pancreas too, possibly leading to insulin resistance or diabetes. YIKES! Who knew that dessert could do such a thing?!?
No doubt about it, sugar can also be very addictive for some individuals. Eat a little and you crave more and more. But here is the big question… Are your cravings physical or emotional?
When those cravings hit, take a moment to take a deep breath and ask yourself, “Do I really need something sweet to eat, or am I craving more sweetness in my life?” Food is a quick, easy replacement for true sweetness, but it often leaves us feeling remorse or even shame. “Why did I eat that?” “I shouldn’t have.” Either way, you are going to have to deal with your feelings. So you get to choose, will it be before hand while you determine what you are truly craving, or afterwards when you are beating yourself up for it. Please remember a sweet, enjoyable experience should never leave you with an emotional hangover or regret.
If your body needs some quick energy, and your blood sugar is starting to dip, then of course, you need to eat something sweet. If that’s the case, then why not reach for a sweet, juicy piece of fresh fruit? Not only will you be giving your body the quick carbohydrate that it needs, you’ll also be nourishing your body with needed fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that it needs to perform optimally. What an act of self-love! All while indulging in something sweet and delicious. Its a win-win! If you are used to very sugary, processed treats then it may take a while to appreciate the sweetness of “nature’s candy”, but as your body adjusts to less processed sugar, so will your taste buds.
So what are some ways you can add a little sweetness to your own life, without food? Is it a chat with a friend, a spa treatment, giving to others, a form of creative expression, meditation? It will be different for everyone. But I encourage you to just listen to your inner guide, your intuition. It will never steer you wrong. I invite you to try incorporating at least one of these “sweet treats” into your day, everyday. See what happens. You may find that you crave sweet foods less. And if you care to share, please leave a comment below and let me know how you plan to add more sweetness to your life. I’d love to hear from you!
Have a sweet day!
Mel's Healthy Kitchen 