My Break up with Sugar!

When I fell In Love with Sugar

I clearly remember, when I turned a teenager, I had this intense craving for sugar. Growing up in the northern part of India, We were a family of limited resources.

Belonging to the lower middle class in the small town of Haryana means, Chocolate and ice creams were beyond dreams. So, I turned to a box of raw sugar in mum’s kitchen. I will eat a handful of it whenever I get a chance. I know, I know, you must be rolling your eyes saying, eat whhaaaaatt ? Raw sugar. Let me say this “Beggars can not be choosers”.I had no other source of satisfying my sugar cravings.

And then there was Chocolate ….

In grade 11, I discovered “Chocolate, “ which is approx $160.0 Billion in the industry now. I remember taking a bite of Cadbury milk chocolate from my school friend’s chocolate bar and spitting it out. I had to run to grab water to wash my mouth.

I could not believe people eat that, pay a high price for that taste. I literally was gobsmacked that, this bitter taste was so-called “ luxurious and fashionable food. “Well, you know what they say; if you can not have something or afford it, you are drawn to it.

Slowly I developed a taste for this sinnly gooey, melt-in-mouth devil called chocolate. I never knew when very subtly it entered my daily routine and stayed as a sticky habit until the start of university life.

It was them, not me!

Well, I blame my friend's boyfriend for this. He usually bought chocolate for her. Later he started it buying for me too, and you know what they say you should keep your girlfriend's friend happy. Honestly, I hated the taste of chocolate, but I will eat it to make them happy.

That's where my love for sugar intensified. I love Indian sweets. I love Sugar in my ginger tea, not coffee, not milk,” Just Indian ginger Tea.”

I do not eat many cakes or other processed sweet stuff. I am not a big fan of artificial sweeteners.I never liked chocolate and ice creams.

I said, what? Unbelievable, A girl who does not like chocolate and ice creams.

Do not get so shocked; I have my fair share of addictive poisons. Today we are talking about Sugar only. In my life, one thing I never had, Tea without sugar, until 4 weeks ago.4 weeks ago, one morning following my daily ritual, after doing my meditation and morning exercise, I was making tea.I decided not to put any sugar in it. Let me tell you; I am religious about tea. Tea is my comfort. My soul-satisfying drink.

Oh, Man, I hated the taste of it. I ruined the flavor forever. However, I decided not to have sugar; let's see how far I can go.

4 weeks later today, I can proudly say I quit sugar.

Yes, It's finally over.

I break up with sugar.

I have no cravings for it anymore; I am not crawling back to it.

The Taste of sugarless life is like freedom. Imagine a butterfly freely roaming in a food garden and is not attracted to sugar anymore. I feel like that butterfly, brighter colors, better speed, a clear mind, out of her cocoon of sugar.I have decided, maybe one day when I am far away from sugar land, I might decide to have Sugar in Tea as a celebratory drink. Otherwise, I will continue to refine my Sugarless ginger tea.

How Did I do it?

It's not just 4 weeks journey.

It's a 3 year in making. I adopted a healthy lifestyle 3 years ago.

Reduced junk food and sugary foods in my diet. this last step has been the hardest ever.

I am a goal-oriented person, not so much disciplined.I decided I needed to reduce the sugar intake of my kids. Rather than tell, I will show them.

I need to stop having sugar and verbalize it, so my kids will subconsciously absorb it. I made it a goal. I did not put a due date on it because I knew it would take time. I did not expect it to be fulfilled in 4 weeks. I thought ideally three months. Instead of a strict regimen, I became more aware of sugar in my food. Sugar I was adding and was consuming.

I stopped buying sugar, cakes, cupcakes, wafers, biscuits, Indian sweets. As a woman of the house, when I stopped buying it, it became less available for my family too. I created a sugar-free shopping trolley for myself. My brain will scan any sugar or hidden sugar items in it, and I will remove them.(hold your horses, I have not removed them completely because morning cereals and school lunch treats are still part of my kids daily food, I will get there )

Simple, If it's not available, I won't have it. Stopped consuming syrups, corn starch, sauces.

How did I feel?

Physically: Initially, headaches, lack of clarity, hypoglycemic feeling, and shaky some days.

More than physical, it was emotional. I am in a relationship with my tea. I have been with my Sugary ginger tea since I was eight years old. My tea stayed with me through thick and thin. In Happy days, emotional days, betrayal days. All the way through to success and failures.

Sitting in the rain, sipping the warm,ginger-flavored tea is like a warm hug, a kiss on the cheek from someone special.

It felt like a relationship falling apart.

How do I feel now?

Better, I still don't like my tea, still trying to find something that will make it taste better (maybe cinnamon).

Had a conversation with my tea ..hahahahahaha. I know you are rolling your eyes at me. Be kind; I had a meltdown. But then I realized I do not have a breakup with my tea, and it's just sugar.

So I feel more clear, focussed, healthier,1.5 kg lighter, more energy, less brain fog, better sleep, clear skin, and above all, free from this addiction of sugar every day.

Scientific Benefits of a Sugar-free diet :

1. Loose weight: reduction in sugar intake will make you lighter.
2. Perfect Smile: Sugar is a major known cause of dental decay, hence less sugar in the diet, healthier your pearly whites.
3. Better Skin: High sugar diet causes set up a molecular domino effect called glycation. It can reduce collagen and repair of skin and causes more wrinkles and lack of elasticity.
4. Better sleep: Too much sugar can make your blood sugar and metabolism zigzag out of control. Sugar consumes magnesium which is important for a good night's sleep. Sugar makes the brain think that it's time to wok not sleep. Reducing sugar intake before bed promotes a better quality of sleep.
5. Sharper brain: High sugar diet is associated with decreased cognitive functions hence, a less sugar diet promotes, a sharper brain, More clarity & focus.
6. More energy: fewer sugar crashes in a day means established energy levels throughout the day.
7. Less risk of Lifestyle chronic diseases: example Diabetes & cardiovascular diseases.
8. Less risk of infections means fewer sick days.

BONUS: my kids have reduced their sugar intake without me telling them. They have reduced their sweet treats and sugary drink intakes; it's almost reduced to half.

If my break up with sugar has inspired you, take the first step. Eliminate the easiest one first. The one you consume the least and work your way up.

Can you guess my next break up?

Watch the space …