Okay, so this blew my mind when I initially heard it. Sugar is about eight times more addictive than COCAINE! Yes ladies, I said COCAINE. Addiction to drugs like cocaine and heroin are caused by a faulty reward system generated in the brain. Scientists have found that this same faulty reward system leads to desires for sugary foods. This explains why Americans eat about 152 pounds of sugar each year!
So here’s the deal, our brains sends out the natural chemical dopamine when we eat certain foods, have sex, or exercise which gives us a feelings of pleasure. More importantly, sugar triggers our brain’s pleasure and reward systems. These are the same systems stimulated by cocaine drugs and alcohol. A study performed at Princeton University by Professor Bart Hoebel, showed that a sugar binge alters the brain function and fuels more desire for the sweets. This change in the brains functions operates just like the change to the brain function when addicted to cocaine or heroin. Also, the study showed that when sugar was taken away, there were psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms when sugar was denied just as those that occur when drugs are denied.
So, this makes total sense to me and it should make sense to you as well. Now I can understand why I can’t sometimes turn away from those mouth-watering Krispy Kreme doughnuts. OMG…they melt in your mouth and it’s so easy to put away three hot ones in the car! For those of you that have had hot Krispy Kreme doughnuts, you can relate.
Okay…back to you sugar fiends.
Let’s just clarify the foods that actually have a good amount of sugar. So the obvious foods are desserts (cakes, cookies, pastries, candy, etc). Then there is bread, pizza, chips, pastas, soda, fruit juices, French fries, and the list goes on. Pretty much anything that tastes good. So if you feel as if you can’t stop eating any of these, then you are a sugar addict.
So, if sugar is like a drug, and does to your brain what drugs do, then you need to follow a rehab program much like a drug addict to break your sugar addition…right?
First, here are five quick questions to ask yourself to determine if you are a sugar addict.
- Do you ever feel guilty about the amount of junk food (sugary and starchy food) you eat?
- Have you ever tried to cut back on the sugary foods you eat and have failed?
- Are you unable to finish a meal or celebrate an event (like your birthday) without wanting to eat something sweet?
- Do you crash almost every day in the afternoon and go look for something sweet to eat or drink to you an energy boost?
- When you’re down in the dumps, do you reach for sweets to make you feel better?
Okay, so you probably answered yes to one of these questions. If you did, then you’re an addict. It’s okay girl. Just accept it. The first step is admitting it (LOL).
But seriously, you need to do something about it. So here’s the deal…
Many people go through a detox program when they are trying to overcome an addition. The same is needed for sugar addiction. You need a detox plan.
I have an awesome detox plan to help you kick your sugar addition. After 21 days on this plan, you will be able say no to sugar and you will have dropped some pounds. So come on ladies, sign up for this plan and kick the habit.
Enter your email address in the box below and I will send it to you.