Sugar cravings
What is it about sugar that is so tempting?
Many folks suffer from sugar cravings, in fact it is thought that between 1970 and 2003, annual U.S. per capita consumption of sugar and sweeteners increased 19%, from 119 pounds to 142 pounds. [1]
That is a great deal of sugar and it appears, that we are not getting any healthier, judging by increasing rates of cancer, diabetes and obesity. Is there a reason behind our increase in sugar consumption and why we crave so much sugar?
The role of beneficial
bacteria.
In years gone by we used to eat many fermented foods, in our relatively simple diets. These fermented foods such as sauerkraut, home-made pickles, fermented vegetables, garden grown veg and home-made bread, as well as a little meat, meant that our ancestors ate simple, nutrient dense foods. Bread was risen slowly as opposed to modern supermarket bread, which is made using a faster, more yeast intensive, Chorley Wood method.
We used to eat more butter, which naturally has substances that kill pathogenic bacteria! Butter, especially grass-fed, according to Dr Mary Enig, is definitely a fat with health-potentiating properties. [2]
Our diets are not what they used to be, which may explain the rise in sugar cravings? We now eat more of the detrimental foods and less of the very, nutrient dense, foods that keep the pathogenic bacteria in check.
In most countries, there is relentless marketing on TV, and in stores, for high sugar/high sweetener containing foods and drinks. The constant availability of these high sugar products can, coupled with a bacterial imbalance, make it torturously challenging to avoid these sugary temptations.
One thought to curb sugar cravings, is to eat more living foods, such as sauerkraut [3], fermented vegetables, or if that sounds too arduous, consider taking a good quality, certified organic, probiotic. I use Fast Tract at the turn of the seasons, or when travelling. I make my own sauerkraut which I eat with every meal- although my husband made the last batch, which is great news, as he has shown he can make it and I think he has a new role!
References:
[1] Good. http://www.good.is/post/sugar-consumption
[2] Know your Fats. Dr Mary Enig. Bethesdapress.com
[3] Learn to make sauerkraut with this simple YouTube video
Tags: sugar craving, bacteria, sauerkraut, butter, candida,
Comments
"Love your web, so informative. Do you know of a good whey protein powder? all the once on the market have soy in them,even Dr Mercola whey protein powder."
"Daniella, sorry to take so long to reply, hadn't been receiving blog comment notifications! Search for sauerkraut in the search box, and a post called 'Bacteria and why we need them' has a video to show you how to make sauerkraut simply & easily? Do let us know how you get on. "
"Anne, I am sorry I don't know of whey protein without soy. I am glad that you find our website informative. That is the intention to make learning fun and easy. "
"What is the best way to make sauerkraut, would love to know your recipe :)"