Sugar Detox

I crave less sugar the less I eat of it. It's true! I know there are many studies out there that highlight the effects of sugar on the body and the body's tendency to crave more sugar after you've eaten some but it was one of those things that I had to experience for myself!

A recent discovery I have made of my own eating habits is that when I find myself sated on a small meal that is high in protein and fiber I can walk right by a counter full of sweet treats (think Christmas treats) and not want to take one. Conversly, when I have enjoyed a meal of food with a higher sugar content, including white breads, I am much more apt to see the sweet treats and want to continue with the "fix".

There is a lady who teaches at the same school as me and she is known as the "chocolate lady". No, she isn't made of chocolate but she always has a heaping basket of fun size chocolate bars available to anyone who needs a "quick fix". I thought I needed such a quick fix yesterday after my class was dismissed and I found my way to her room to rummage though the basket looking for one of my favorites. I opened the wrapper, savored the chocolate and as I'm about to say thank you and leave I feel a wave of tingles come over me and the urge to take another piece of chocolate with me for "along the way". I fought the urge and am certain now that it was the chocolate that made me want more chocolate... not the taste of it, but whatever it was doing to my body.

Now, I will probably never give up chocolate or sugar for that matter but it is very interesting to me to be making these connections with food and how they make me feel. The healthier I eat, the more conscience I am to make healthier choices. Now that the holidays are behind us I hope that a decrease in available confections will make my efforts to eat right just a bit easier.