What big mistake. I felt terrible almost immediately. My blood sugar shot through the roof. I was shakey and noticed a the early onset of asthma as my chest tightened. And now, about an hour later, I am terribly lethargic as my body is going through a sugar crash. My only hope is that the fruit and vegetable tonic I whipped up and gulped down will counteract the negative effects of the morning bun curse.
There is a perfectly logical reason why I feel physically bad. Like most treats, my morning bun is loaded with sugar. Foods high in fructose are a major contributing factor to illness in our society today. In fact, no other substance is linked to so many ailments. It is also a major contributor to high-blood pressure, allergies and a weakened immune system, Parkinson's disease, hyperactivity, chronic fatigue. There are literally hundreds of illnesses linked to diet high in sugar.
And it is not just physical problems, either. Emotional imbalances are also be traced back to a sugary diet. ADHD and hyperactivity in children, anxiety and nervousness, depression, and difficulty concentrating are but a few to consider. Ironically, many people crave sweet treats when they feel lonely or depressed and never realize they are only causing greater emotional stress when they eat that sugar snack intended to make them feel better.
There is something you can do about it by making a few simple changes, beginning with your diet. It will take some work on your part because sugar is in just about everything and therefore difficult to avoid. We love sweets and manufacturers of foods and drinks add fructose to increase take advantage of our collective sweet tooth. We have now become addicted to sugar. If you crave sweets like me, try eating more fruits to satisfy your sugary urge. Generally speaking, if it grows on a tree or underground, it is good for you (provided you eat it raw). Diets made up of fruits and vegetables are very low in processed sugar.
There are some practical things you can do as well. For example, never leave the house unless you are armed with some fruit -- like a peach or an apple. Keep in mind that when you are hungry your blood sugar drops so you naturally crave sugar. This can be disastrous, which is why it is important to have fruits and nuts on hand. When you are shopping, pay attention to the food labels of the things you like to buy and avoid those things high in sugar (it may be disguised as fructose or corn syrup so be careful!). Breakfast cereals, for example, are typically loaded with sugar and a terrible way to start your day. Of course sodas are among the worst when it comes to sugar content.
Among other types of drinks, alcoholic beverages like wine are also filled with a lot of sugar. This is perhaps one of the contributing factors of alcoholism because our bodies crave sugar and the more we drink, the more we want. A truly vicious cycle. Eliminating sugar from your diet may be hard at first, like anything else you try. Your body is accustomed to sugar so it is going to take a little time to detox. Stick with it for at least 30 days and I promise that you will feel better. Everyday it will be easier as you commit to eating healthier and see and feel results. You will have more energy, lose weight, and experience better health overall. Improved health will lead to an improved emotional state.
I am thankful for the curse of the morning bun. This experience is a strong reminder why I made significant dietary changes several years ago. Today I can confidently say that it is going to be a long time before I eat another morning bun! I hope this will inspire you to make some changes in your diet as well.
May God bless you as you pursue the abundant life!
No comments:
Post a Comment