Have you been feeling down in the dumps? It could be due to the sugar slumps!
I used to refer to myself as a gummy connoisseur, but the truth is, I was addicted to sugar and when I finally put the plug in the jug AND quit smoking cigarettes, the gummy industry gained their best client. I was eating a bag or two and sometimes dipping into a third bag that I kept on my bedside table, so I know how sensitive a subject this can be for recovery folks. I thought eating gummies by the bag made me happy and hadn’t I given up enough already?
I am in no way preaching that you quit sugar completely because it’s basically impossible, not to mention miserable. I do strongly advise you, however, to take an honest look at your daily sugar intake because if you are like the average adult in the United States, consuming 77 grams of sugar per day, you could be suffering from sugar slumps.
The similarities between sugar and addictive substances may have you amazed before you are halfway through. Here are some ways sugar addiction is like alcohol and drug addiction:
Effects on the Brain
Sugar, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and other addictive substances increase the activation of the “feel good” chemical in the brain called dopamine. Sugar high is a real thing.
Increased Tolerance
Long-term sugar consumption causes functional changes in the brain the same way long-term alcohol and drug consumption does. A teaspoon of sugar makes the medicine go down, but only in the beginning. Eventually, we need more to achieve the desired altered state.
Cravings
Whether it’s for sugar or your substance of choice, cravings can be equally cunning, baffling, and powerful. They are both related to the chemical crash taking place in the body. You may not lose your job or go to jail for scoring a Butterfinger, but there are long-term health consequences if you consistently relapse on sugar.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Giving up sugar will cause both mental and physical withdrawal symptoms, just like withdrawal from alcohol and drugs. Common withdrawal symptoms from quitting sugar include:
- Extreme fatigue and sleep problems
- Intense hunger for something sweet
- Cravings for other carbs like pasta, crackers, or chips
- Extreme mood swings
- Depression & anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating and other cognitive impairments
Don’t sweat the sweet stuff – give junk food the boot and switch to fruit!
Your sweet tooth will have nothing to lose if you stick with these 3 exotic fruity winners:
Jackfruit
Jackfruit is the world’s largest fruit and can weigh up to 100 pounds! This tropical tree fruit comes from Africa, Asia, and South America and has emerged as a pulled pork substitute for vegetarians due to its stringy and hearty texture. Jackfruit is chock-full of nutrients and might just be the official, unofficial superfood. From lowering inflammation to promoting healthy skin and weight loss, this meaty fruit is the Jack of all trades.
Star Fruit (Carambola)
A perfect sweet and tart fruit to curve your sugar cravings. True to its name, this Asian fruit will make you shine by keeping your skin, hair, and nails healthy and strong. Starfruit is loaded with Magnesium, a sleep-promoting mineral, that will reduce bloat, irritability, and puffiness. Rich in nutrients that increase the production of blood cells, it can help ward off fatigue and lightheadedness. Eat it if you have weight-loss goals because it will rev up your metabolism and keep you hydrated more than any other fruit with 91.4% water by its weight.
Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit tastes like a kiwi or pear and grows on a cactus from Central and South America. It’s packed with essential vitamins and minerals that can be found fresh or frozen in most grocery stores- and is low in calories Dragon Fruit is one of the only fruits that contain iron, which is the most common nutrient deficiency worldwide.
Sober Sweat Tip: Buy it frozen in chunks for a mess-free and flavorful pop of color to your smoothies!
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Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
