Sugar: The Danger Behind Sugar Addiction. General information and interview with Roxanne Melli who battles every day with it and wins!

Author's Note: Neither myself or my interview participate Roxanne are medical professionals of any kind.

Title General Information for blog post 

Subject Sugar Addiction

The following link is where you can find this information: https://articles.mercola.com/sugar-addiction.aspx

In moderation, sugar is essential for the body. Sugar is both a carb and a calorie. Consumed excessively it can and does lead to several health issues including, heart problems, diabetes, lack of brain power, even cancer. Sugar addiction starts when someone craves anything or anything with sugar in it. Eating sugar triggers natural opioids in the brain. These particular hormones help aid in pain, Triggered the same was as one might consume an illegal drug.

Another player involved in the addiction to sugar is a hormone called, Leptin. Leptin’s job is to tell the brain how energy from our fat (that is stored) how it should be used. It basically targets the taste respecters in your tongue which could either increase or decrease your cravings. If there is an issue with your leptin receptors, or if you lack them, then chance, are your food cravings, will be bigger and more often. And more often then not, sugar is often the first chosen when it comes to craving a certain type of food.

Obviously, too much sugar consumption can have dire effects on one’s health. In pretty much area of your life. For example, there are also behavioral changes that can and do occur. For instance, sugar addiction can act as addictive and intoxicating as alcohol. Too much sugar consumption can also hike your adrenaline and anxiety. For children, they can show signs of drowsiness, crankiness, and they can lack concentration on tasks. Their grades could suffer as a result as well. As well as exit other behaviors that put their health at serious risk. 

To break your possible addiction to sugar appeal to your emotions. Often times our cravings come from an emotional need or want. Or your sugar addiction could be used to reduce the stress you’re experiencing at the moment. Another way would be to decrease your daily consumption of sugar to below 25 grams exactly this also includes fruits.

The average adult consumes an average of 196 pounds of sugar per year! (And continues to rise.) I in 3 kids in the Us are becoming diabetic. In the last 50 years, the numbers for adult diabetics has increased from 1.6 million cases to 18.8 million cases. Let’s Look at some stats provided by, https://yourfirststep.org/sugar-really-just-

addictive-drugs/

Roxanne's Interview: 

Question 1. How did your addiction to Sugar start? And what are your triggers? 

I feel that the sugar addiction started once I was having stress in my life.  I am Italian so food cures everything!

My triggers vary from situation to situation, but mostly when I get over anxious. 

Question 2. What do you think Society has right about the sugar addiction in America? and what do you think they have wrong?

I think there is major ignorance regarding sugar addiction.  It has the same effects on the brain as drugs do.  I think that the USA deals with it by offering weight loss surgery and not worrying about the mental health  aspect of the disease.

Question 3. What would you like the public to know about sugar addiction?

 I want the people to understand that just because people are overweight, it doesn’t mean that they are just slobs.  That probably 85% of the people that are obese in this country have a food and sugar addiction. 

Question 4. What has been the hardest obstacle to overcome in your fight with sugar?

The constant cravings and learning how to eliminate it from my diet and substitute it with healthy choices.

Question 5. What was your “lightbulb moment” when you realize you had a problem we sugar?

When I started losing the weight and reading up on food/sugar addiction while eating better.

Question 6. what are the top three things about sugar addiction that you have found the most surprising?

That it affects the brain and body just like drug addiction. That sugar is in everything and I mean everything! There are many healthy alternatives to sugar, ie stevia, honey.

Question 7. What path have you found to be the most successful when it comes to the beginning stages of overcoming your addiction to sugar?

Giving up starbucks and soda, finding alternatives to these things.  I absolutely love flavored seltzer!

Question 8. What advice would you give someone who is struggling with sugar addiction?

Don’t give up, there are good days, there are bad days but it is worth it in the end.  

Question 9. What are some of your long-term goals and some of your short-term goals when it comes to overcoming your addiction to sugar?

Short term goal is to get back to being 100% sugar free.  Life has just been crazy and I have slipped up.

Longterm goal is to help educate people on the effects of sugar and long time use and life a 100% sugar free life for my family and I. 

Question 10. What motivates you to keep pushing towards a healthier you? 

My kids are my greatest motivators! I want to be healthy for them so that I do not ever miss out on anything in their lives!

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