Spoonful of Sugar Free

Registered Dietitian

Day 2: Sugar is Addicting

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Welcome to day two of the Sugar Free Challenge!

Today’s Reason to be Sugar-Free: 

Some evidence from animal studies suggests that sugar can be addictive. A Princeton University research team has shown that lab rats accustomed to sugar display the cravings and the relapses that signal addiction, as well as brain changes similar to those associated with addiction to narcotics and nicotine. For example, the investigators found that the brain chemical dopamine is released when hungry rats drink sugared water and that a surge of dopamine occurs in the brains of hungry rats that binge on sugar. Over time, these increased dopamine levels resulted in fewer of a certain type of dopamine receptor and more opioid receptors in the animals’ brains. The same studies showed that rats deprived of sugar exhibited anxiety characteristic of withdrawal.  ~Dr. Andrew Weil

Here is today’s sample menu:

Breakfast: Bitter Chocolate Waffles with Sliced bananas and peanut butter whip.

Lunch: Socca with a spinach salad topped with fresh bruschetta. Served with a hard-boiled egg.

Snack: Apple Crisps with Peanut Butter Hummus Dip

Dinner: Brown Rice Stir Fry with carrots, onions, leftover chicken, bell pepper, ginger, soy sauce, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

 

Dessert: Fresh Fig and Plum Crisp

Exercise Option: For those of you who chose to take part of the exercise challenge, your challenge today is to do 10 crunches, 5 squats, 5 pushups, 10 calf raises. 

THOUGHT-PROVOKING, MIND-PRODDING QUESTION OF THE DAY: 

How was your second day of sugar-free? Did you create menus for yourself or just go with the flow?

Remember that you can track what you eat on the printable Challenge Checklist. 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. The waffles look really awesome! Sugar definitely is addictive, if only because people get used to having a certain amount of energy/sweetness in their diet. I think I’m perhaps a little addicted following Christmas. I’m trying to break it 😀

  5. made it with the exception of one spoon of stevia in my coffee. since i usually do 3-4 and 3 cups i am pretty proud of myself. as far as sugar addiction i can attest it is addictive. i have not had a drink of alcohol for 18 years but when i eat sugar it creates the same reaction in my body, both mentally and physically. it is has been the hardest crutch for me to let go of but not about to give up!

  8. technically i didn’t sign up for your challenge this time around, but am doing it as part of an overall back to healthy eating… i so have headaches!

    using things like your protein cookies with cranberries has made a huge difference for me because it provides an option which takes away the feeling of i can’t have anything

  10. Woah, perfect menu…. I want to eat all of those treats (sans meat) – the waffles in particular. I have a waffle machine that makes penguin shaped wafles. Might have to give these a try, penguin styles! 🙂

  13. The Dr. Weil quote certainly made me sit up and take notice! Wow! I’m not at all sure where I fit into this plan…I’m not probably yet very aware of how much sugar I ingest…I don’t snack on sugary foods, but I realize there’s much more to it than that. I’ll enjoy following along and seeing what I can learn from your wonderfully instructive posts and your enthusiastic followers/contributors! Debra