Sweet Freedom: Why I’m Giving Up Sugar and You Should, Too!
Mama’s, I think we can all agree that sugar can be our best friend during stressful and sleepless days. A big fudge brownie after a long day of work can send us into a euphoric state of calm. But let’s face it, ladies. Our love for sugar is not doing us any favors. If you’ve followed me for more than 10 minutes, y’all know that sugar and bakes goods are my nemesis. But they are the sweetest, most delicious nemesis you can have, amirite?
Intellectually I KNOW that sugar is addicting (even more than cocaine!) but it took this quiz to really make me open my eyes of HOW addicted I really was. And just like that, I made the decision to give up sugar. Here are a few reasons why I am going sugar-free and why you should too!
1. It’s SOOOO Bad For Our Health
Let’s face it. Eating too much sugar isn’t healthy. Numerous studies link sugar to obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. As moms, we need to make sure we live long and healthy lives, so we can see our babies grow up and enjoy their families someday. Sure, giving up sugar won’t completely prevent these health issues, but it can have a significant impact.
2. It Affects Our Mood
Many of us think that sugar consumption only affects our bodies, but it also has an impact on our moods. When we eat sugar, our blood sugar levels spike, and then crash. This can lead to mood swings, irritability, and anxiety. We don’t need any more stress in our lives, do we? After giving up sugar, I noticed my mood stabilized, I felt calmer throughout the day and Hangry Jacquie not kicking around the house at 5 p.m. anymore.
3. It Helps Us Make Better Food Choices
When I gave up sugar, I also made the decision to really buckle down on eating more veggies. Meals used to be heavy carbs, low or no veggies. Now I’m concentrating on high veggie content. Do I pay attention to carb counts in veggies? Not even a little bit. My concentration is on a variety of veggies, not just the same three all week long.
4. It Sets a Good Example for Our Kids
I gotta admit, this is one of my most motivating factors as a mama. As moms, we are our children’s most significant influence when it comes to healthy eating habits. If they see us constantly consuming sugary foods and drinks, they will think it’s normal. But, if they see us making healthier choices, they will adopt those habits, too. When I started giving up sugar, Jace, my sugar junkie, began being more selective about his sugar consumption too. Man, it made me SO proud to be setting a good example.
Making the decision to give up sugar was not an easy one for me. It’s 100% the right choice for me and my family. If you are struggling with your relationship with sugar, I encourage you to try giving it up for a while. Start by slowly cutting back or trying natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. Your body (and mind) will thank you. Let’s aim for sweet freedom, mamas!
Grab my Sugar Free Checklist here and get started on your own no sugar journey!
And did you know that I’m building a community of amazing mamas just like you so we can share our success and cheer each other on? Join now here!
xoxo
