Sugar addiction

Sugar Addiction

Photo by Iamnee. Published on 27 March 2013
Stock photo - Image ID: 100151123

According to the latest research we are a continent of sugar addicts.  A hundred years ago the average person would have the equivalent of 20 teaspoons a year of sugar.  Now the average person in North America has at least 22 teaspoons of sugar a day.  No matter what form it comes in sugar creates a rush.  Some will feel it more then others.

It comforts us and gives us energy which it later takes away as it destroys our bodies.  They have found sugar is 8 times as addictive as cocaine.  Rats (even ones previously addicted to cocaine) would prefer to have sugar water to water with cocaine.  People are running around with varying degrees of addiction to sugar.

I have to admit I don’t like calling it an addiction.  I however am what can happen when poor eating takes control.  Some times I do wonder “how did I get here?”.   I have diabetes.  I have sleep apnea.  I weigh about 250% of what I should weigh.  Still I don’t want to call it an addiction.  I will get junk food and eat it without even enjoying it and still I don’t want to call it an addiction.

I have joked about being addicted to diet pop.  Ha Ha, turns out it’s no joke.  I get this junk food without really thinking about it.  Like all of a sudden I’m buying hot chocolate with out really considering what I’m doing.  The sad thing is when I have this hot chocolate that I don’t even remember wanting, I want more. 

Research shows parts of the brain light up when you take drugs.  More parts of the brain light up when you have sugar, in fact more parts of the brain light up when you even think about sugary things.  To start with I ate simple carbs to get a boost.  I have had depression most of my life.  I was raised eating very well but then I discovered fast food and junk food and it gave me a boost.  I remember the first time I tried a whopper.  It felt as good as it tasted, it was an experience.

Now I find myself not wanting to die.  I find I would like to experience real health again.  I used to like working out.  Now it terrifies me.  What shakes me up even more is the idea of really having to change my diet.  Its change the diet or die.  So I’m off to start breaking the sugar habit.  Wish me luck.