Last week I vented about how horrible refined sugar is for your body. It causes so many immediate issues for me such as bloating in my lower gut with a painful pressure, inflammation all over my body, from my face to my ankles, it increases triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood), and sometimes heartburn. Although I know the consequences, I’ve gotten into the horrible habit of eating sugary treats while enjoying my post-carnivore February.
It’s time to get serious again, and my cut starts NOW!!! One of the first things to go is any and all refined sugar. My addiction to Winco gummy worms has to stop. Luckily, sugar cravings go away and your taste buds will change the longer you’re away from refined sugar.
Let’s go 90 days without refined or added sugar!
Rules and things to keep in mind:
According to the American Heart Association, Men should consume no more than 9 teaspoons (36 grams or 150 calories) of added sugar per day. For women, the number is lower: 6 teaspoons (25 grams or 100 calories) per day. Let’s keep sugar intake to UNDER 25g. In this day and age, it’s impossible to completely avoid sugar (unless you do carnivore).
Check your packaging! All nutritional labels should tell you how much sugar is in something. Packaged food and fast food is where sugar will show up the most! Then track your serving size.
Under the ingredients section, keep an eye out for any ingredients that end in “ose,” like dextrose monohydrate (corn sugar), any kind of syrup, and other added natural sugars like fruit nectars, concentrates of juices, honey, agave and molasses. There is a great list of 56 different names/types of added sugar to look out for.
Zero sugar sweeteners are okay. But check the ingredients on the bag if you buy a bag of stevia for baking! Maltodextrin can be in your stevia, which will spike your blood sugar.
Fruits and vegetables are okay, but make sure you’re tracking.
If you’re drinking alcohol, remember that the fructose that’s often found in a sugary drink (like ciders or cocktails) MUST be processed through your liver. If you reach a state of intoxication, that means your liver is no longer metabolizing the alcohol. Add fructose to your drink, and now that sugar isn’t getting metabolized, either.
Some sugars are okay. Pure honey or maple syrup can be used as a “better for you” sweetener to add to things like coffee, tea, or even some baked goods. But remember moderation is key! Don’t substitute a bag of gummy worms for a jar of honey. Honey is still sugar!
90 days is a long time, so let’s start with 30 days! Let’s reach that 30 mark, see how we’re feeling, and then get back into it for another 30…and another 30! This is basically an anti-sugar campaign, but the point is to minimize it as much as possible and rip out the sweet tooth. We’re habit breaking and creating balance in our life!
Will you join me in this challenge? Let’s git after it!
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