I was reading this awesome post by blogger Off White (while eating a Hershey’s bar) on how to reduce your sugar consumption. It has alot of great tips on reducing sugar intake in your daily like.
We all think that people who are vegan, or gluten-intolerant, or don’t drink margaritas daily are a bit weird. I know you are thinking it, because I am! Why would ANYONE give up delicious Wonder Bread or tequila or an Iowa Pork Producer’s-seasoned tenderloin?
The thing is: who could dislike sugar?! I love it. But here’s a story that might give you just an idea of what happens when you get too caught up with sugar.
The Lure of the Gummy Bear
The reason Gummy Bears are so awesome is that they fulfill the sugar need, while giving you a work out. It’s emotional eating paired with the food equivalent of the stress ball (pictured, in eco-friendly Earth shape.)
Back when I was waiting tables at PF Changs, I got into a terrible habit of stopping at the convenience store for gummy bears on my way to work. I ate them because about 8 p.m. (four hours into my shift, no break!), I’d be shifting from nice waitress to raving lunatic with low blood sugar. I also got the side-effect of popularity with other servers/managers, since I always had candy in my apron.
Well I started to realize that at about 3:30 p.m. everyday, I’d start thinking about that bag of gummy bears. And start longing for it.
I’m sure I also started to gain weight, though I can’t recall at the moment.
Giving It Up
So roundabout Mardi Gras time, I thought “This is ridiculous.” So I decided to give up all candy and all forms of chocolate for Lent. I knew I had to say “all forms of chocolate” out loud (I told my mom), so that I didn’t get tempted to bake and eat an entire batch of brownies.
The first week was like torture. I don’t think my body was longing for it, but my mind was! But I resisted.
By the second week, I was happily off gummy bears, but missing sweets alot.
By third and four weeks, I was cruising. The longing was replaced with the idea of eating a pile of gelatinous sugar– blech!
Easter Basket of Buffalo Wings
OK, I didn’t really eat Buffalo Wings instead of gummy bears on Easter, but what I didn’t discover was this: I didn’t want the candy anymore. It had become a habit (like coffee is now) developed mentally. And deconstructed mentally.
Physically, however, I also felt great. It wasn’t just succeeding 40 day and 40 nights in gummy-bear-desert, but it got me to listen to my body, notice my blood sugar and to think about solutions that don’t involve a quick buzz!
Tammy Luke
September 8, 2009
You’re so right! I realized that too last year when i was on my big weight loss kick. once your body HAS sugar (in any and/or all forms) it craves it. It is totally like a drug. I think when doctors ask for substance abuse history, they should also include sugar – “She denies excessive intake of gummy bears, all things chocolate, and even white bread.” It really is an addiction almost NO ONE can resist, once you start down the path. And moderation is almost impossible!