My naturopathic doctor advised me to partake in a no sugar diet with other specified restrictions based on my latent allergies. Among the foods that I was allergic too were oddly enough egg white, bananas, and pineapple. I thought ok bananas and pineapples I can live without but, egg whites? That was going to throw a wrench into things. As you know if you look at basically any food that comes in a package or bottle one of the ingredients is bound to be sugar so this greatly limits convenient foods to snack on. Although all sugars are not created equal the diet was restrictive to foods that naturally had high sugar in them for example almost all fruits, white potatoes, and vegetables like peas and carrots. Bread or baked goods where completely out of the question not only because almost all break down into simple sugars but most are made with eggs as well.
As with any diet, the first week is usually the most difficult. This is the period when your brain and body are adjusting to the lack of foods they are used to having. Those of you who have done the cleanse know what I am talking about. By day four you would do anything for a nice juicy cheeseburger. The no sugar diet has proven to be a bit tougher due to the evolutionary connection to our sugar addiction. When we were hunter- gatherers, sweet foods meant more calories. More calories meant a greater chance of survival due to increased energy and fat stores. The sweet foods eaten by our “cave men” ancestors had far less sugar in them than our junk foods. A sweet treat to a hunter-gatherer would have been something like an apple, a banana, or some honey for those brave enough to risk a bee sting. This evolutionary addiction to sugar is a problem for modern humans because we do not walk the nine miles per day an average cave man would.
The first week without sugar was rough but the cravings began to subside. What made it a lot easier to stick with the diet was all of the other health benefits that began even before that first week ended. I noticed that I no longer felt that midafternoon urge for a nap that results from the body crashing from its “sugar high”. I also began to experience deeper and more restful sleep. When I worked out, I no longer felt the aches and pains in my joints from sugar induced inflammation. Although I didn’t experience a dramatic weight loss, these other benefits were far more satisfying than a lower number on the scale.
You don’t have to adopt a diet as restrictive as mine to experience some of the same benefits. These can obviously be achieved with the elimination of sugar, but can also be realized with a reduction in sugar. A major reduction of sugar in your diet can happen by simply reading labels and being aware of what unsuspecting foods can have sugar hiding in them. Condiments are a major culprit. Things like ketchup and bbq sauces are laden with high fructose corn syrup and other sugars. Replace soda, sports drinks, and fruit juice with water and plenty of it. Eliminating these sugary drinks and drinking more water will make you feel better the day you make the switch. If you are craving something sweet reach for your favorite fruit instead of a cookie. Dietary changes are not easy for anyone, but they are possible for everyone. Listen to your body and appreciate the benefits, large and small, of eating a diet with less sugar.
In Health,
Dr. Loni
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