Americans have too many different types of sugars in their diet. Sugar is disguised in many forms and is hidden in all packaged foods. It can even be found in frozen vegetables! Refined sugar is empty of nutrients, high in calories and highly addictive. Most of us consume way too much sugar without even realizing it.
Sugar appears under many different names: sucrose, dextrose, maltose, mannitol, dextran, white sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, agave, barley male, lactose, molasses, glucose, fruit juice concentrates, syrup, evaporated cane juice, corn sweetener, corn syrup, malt and fructose.
Avoid these additives to your food, as they bring the blood sugar up very rapidly, cause an insulin surge and then a crash.
These products and all artificial sweeteners are highly addictive which makes refraining from them difficult. But the longer you stay away, the less craving you will have. You may replace these manufactured products with cautious use of natural sweeteners such as honey and maple syrup, or rapadura which is unrefined cane sugar. At least these have trace minerals and other nutrients. However these natural sweeteners should also be limited.
Here are some benefits of getting off sugar:
- Clear, younger-looking skin
- Easier to lose weight (no longer consuming empty calories)
- Less cavities, more protection for your teeth
- Improved energy. No spikes in blood sugar mean no sugar crash
- Stronger immune system (sugar can weaken immunity)
- Less sugar cravings over time
- A sugar detox restores balance to the body, helping you feel better overall
- Improved sleep
- Fewer mood swings
- Decreased risk for various chronic diseases
- Less day-to-day aches and pains, decreased levels of chronic inflammation
Change starts in the brain. Sugar is the most readily available source of energy for our bodies and our brain, so when we consume it, it actually triggers the release of dopamine and serotonin—telling us to eat more. This trigger also causes our memory centered in the
brain to remember that consuming sugar provides energy and makes us feel good. If you find yourself constantly having sugar cravings, it is thanks to those “feel good” neurotransmitters in the brain. Some people ask, “What are the side effects of a sugar detox?” Quitting sugar cold turkey may initially cause withdrawal-like symptoms: intense cravings, lethargy, brain fog, dizziness, nausea, general digestive discomfort, and even emotional despair. Eventually, the brain will adapt and no longer crave the “rush” that comes from consuming sugar. This process is progressive and may take several weeks before the cravings totally subside and
you start experiencing the benefits above.
Some foods with added sugar you need to know about
- Most low-fat items, including yogurt and low-fat ice cream, have added sugar
- Breakfast cereals, especially those aimed at children, are packed with sugar
- Sauces and soups ranging from basic tomato sauce to a spicy curry delicacy, and including soups, have big amounts of added sugar
- All condiments and salad dressings, especially the so-called low-fat ones are filled with sugar. Mayonnaise and honey and mustard salad dressings are delicious but could be deadly, because of the hidden sugar which has been added to them
- Tinned baked beans, whilst high in fiber, contain lots of sugar and other additives
- Muffins, even those with seeds and nuts, are really just cakes high in sugar
- Protein and energy bars are not healthy snacks. They may contain vegetable protein and some vitamins, but they are also exceedingly rich in refined flour and added sugar products
- There are sugar and calories in all alcoholic drinks, which add up fast, interfere with fat digestion, and prevent fat loss
- White Bread
Scientists in the food industry have calculated the ratio of fat, sugar, and salt in their products just right to make them tasty enough for you to want more and more
How to avoid buying foods with hidden sugar content
- You may have to give up some of your favorite foods if you are serious about the dangers of hidden sugar. Check the labels of products thoroughly, including the amount of the sugar product, whatever it may be called, in the item you want to purchase. Also, check the nutrition facts in some of the packaged foods - you could be surprised by the lack of any real nutrition in the product.
- One heaped teaspoon of sugar is equivalent to 4 grams of sugar, and on average up to 16 grams is added to a product, equal to 4 teaspoons of granulated sugar. This is just in the hidden added sugar from processed, off-the-shelf foods, not the obviously added sugar from cakes, sweets, and deserts. So you could be overloading your body without even realizing it.
- Don’t buy anything which is labeled low fat, as it could do your body more harm than if you eat a full-fat product.
You may feel that all this checking on labels is going to a lot of trouble, and sometimes time- consuming, but if want to stay healthy and prevent the dangers related to excess sugar, then it is worth all the trouble for the benefit to your health and well-being.
Is it time for a sugar detox?
Have you ever wanted to do a sugar detox? Do you ever feel weighed down by too many treats, a not-so-healthy diet, or just too much processed food?
So, what are the benefits of a sugar detox? Depending on what types of sugar we consume in our regular diet, our sugar intake can have a major impact on how we feel from day to day. In today’s world, so many foods and drinks contain added sugars—we often don’t even realize how much sugar we are consuming. In addition to added sugars sneaking into some of our regular foods, we also have endless access to sugary candy, treats, desserts, and more. If we aren’t careful, we can get carried away and end up eating an unhealthy amount of sugar on a regular basis. Research has shown several negative effects of sugar consumption and reveals that too much sugar can have a serious impact on our health.
Because of the impact sugar has on the body, there are many sugar detox benefits that can help you to look and feel better.
How to do a sugar detox with essential oils
To effectively remove sugar from your diet and complete a sugar detox, you’ll need a little help. Did you know that some essential oils can be used to add flavor to your food and drinks? And some doTERRA essential oils can even help fight of sweet tooth cravings.* We’ve compiled some of the best essential oils for sugar detox to help you stick to your goals and successfully go off sugar. Get your hands on your own oils
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- Flavor your food with essential oils. People often ask, “What can I eat on a sugar detox?” When you are trying to flush sugar out of your body, it will be important to make sure you are cutting out sugary desserts, sugary drinks, and reading labels to help you avoid processed snacks or foods where added sugars might be lurking. In addition to avoiding sugar-packed foods, you’ll want to make sure you are eating nutrient-rich foods like fruits and vegetables. If you find yourself craving your favorite sugary treats, consider adding an extra kick to your meals by using essential oils in your cooking.
- Plan your snacks. One of the hardest parts of a sugar detox is finding sugar-free snacks. Even things like crackers, granola bars, and other packaged snacks that seem harmless can be packed with added sugar. If you usually turn to sugary snacks throughout the day, you’ll need to plan ahead and make a few sugar-free snacks each day to stay on track with your detox.
- Stay Hydrated. Whether you are a fan of juice, sports drinks, soda, or other sugary drinks, you might find yourself craving these beverages during your sugar detox. One of the best things you can do during a sugar detox, and in general, is to stay hydrated. Hydration is key for a healthy body, plus drinking enough water everyday will help you to feel less hungry. If you are missing your sugary drinks, try infusing your water with essential oils. Oils like Grapefruit oil, Lemon oil, and Wild Orange oil, make a great addition to water when you want a fruity blast of flavor. Also, adding a drop of Fennel oil to your water can help you fight sweet tooth cravings.
- Replace your treats or drinks with a healthy alternative. When you go off sugar, you’ll probably miss some of your regular treats and drinks. In addition to planning your snacks and eating healthy sugar-free meals, you’ll want to find some healthy alternatives to your go-to snacks and drinks
Essential oils to help with sugar cravings
Our sense of smell is the most primordial of our senses and has a great impact on our sense of taste. In fact 80 to 90 percent of what we think we are tasting we are actually smelling. We process odor in the same part of the brain as memory and emotion, linked to past and personal experiences. The beautiful thing about essential oils is that they work on our holistic well-being, affecting the physical, emotional and spiritual body.
Here are some oils that will help curb those sugar cravings:
CITRUS ESSENTIAL OILS: Citrus fruits, such as grapefruit, lemon, orange and bergamot can assist in curbing the appetite, especially grapefruit with its high content of d-limonene. D-limonene is a terpene found in the peel of citrus fruits, where its essential oil is stored, and is a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. It is also a great aid in curbing cravings and appetite. Other chemical
constituents found in citrus essential oils offer uplifting properties that can boost the spirit and mood and promote energy.
CINNAMON BARK ESSENTIAL OIL: This one can help curb sweet cravings, while making you feel satisfied (and warm as well).
ANISE, PEPPERMINT AND BASIL: These three can actually stimulate the appetite, supporting healthy digestion and metabolism.
GERANIUM AND LAVENDER: These two scents can help calm the mind and support the challenges that may arise physically and emotionally, especially when facing emotional cravings. They are great at promoting balance and homeostasis as well as a good night’s sleep.
For many years people have been led to believe that saturated fat is the main cause of heart disease. However new studies have revealed that saturated fat is far less harmful than sugar. It is no surprise that chocolates, fizzy drinks, sweets, and cakes are loaded with added sugar. But there are other culprits that you might not associate with added sugar.
These culprits are the foods which are packed with large amounts of hidden sugar.
Food manufacturing companies have become wise about the outcry of added sugar by health practitioners, and with clever marketing, have started to disguise the sugar in their products so that consumers do not know how much sugar they are really eating.
They add sugar into foods to enhance the taste, especially in reduced-fat foods, as foods without fat are bland, and do not taste so good. This means that foods you may believe to be healthy because they are labeled low fat, are actually worse for you as they are loaded with added sugar – which keeps you hooked and going back for more.
Researchers have proved that sugar is instrumental in the worldwide rise of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
FREE 7-DAY SUGAR DETOX CHALLENGE!