I re-watched Hungry for Change this past weekend — a documentary about the diet industry and the dieting paradigm that so many people fall into. It talks a good deal about food in relation to health and the power of detoxification.
I watched it for the first time about a year ago and was introduced to Kris Carr, author of the (highly recommended) documentary Crazy Sexy Cancer and book Crazy Sexy Diet and Joe Cross from the documentary Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. Both are strong advocates for the healing power of juicing.
After watching the film the first time, I was inspired to start juicing and have been juicing green veggies ever since 🙂
I am glad that I took the time this weekend to watch the film again, as this time there was a different message I took away — one that I very much needed to hear right now — a strong message about SUGAR.
In Hungry for Change, Dr. Christiane Northrup talks about the addictive power of sugar, comparing its effects to that of rolling up your sleeve and pumping in heroine. It causes a “high” in the body that is super addictive. I know that when I have just a taste of it, I only want more and more….
Seems I am not the only one. The film claims that the average American consumes 150 grams, or 22 teaspoons of sugar a day! Yikes.
Consuming all this sugar has lead to an epidemic of obesity, type two diabetes, and causes further degradation of many other conditions and diseases whose underlying cause is inflammation in the body — Hello Endometriosis 🙂
She points out that sugar is not just the white powdered stuff from sugar cane — it includes anything that raises blood sugar levels in the body — including white flour, white rice, potatoes, corn…etc.
Dr. Northrup talks about the emotional connection with sugar and how many of us use it in times of stress for “comfort”. Sugar releases endorphins or feel good hormones in the body — a reaction that leads to further consumption once this “high” crashes down.
I readily admit I have been turning to the sweet stuff lately in what I recognize as an emotional response to stress. I recognize that I am doing it, try and stop myself from doing it, but end up doing it anyway… LOL.
To keep sugar cravings at bay, Dr Northrup recommends starting the day with protein and fat, rather than just carbohydrates. This levels out blood sugar levels for the day and keeps the body from crashing around 4PM.
I definitely notice a difference when I follow this suggestion and have a fat and protein filled smoothie for breakfast , rather than just carbs. As far as curbing the stress/sugar connection…. I am still learning 🙂
“Sugar Free”? Even Worse.
Dr. Northrup also talks about the dangers of the “sugar free” phase currently underway. After being conditioned to believe that sugar is bad, I think the common thought is that these new “sugar free” products are somehow better.
In actuality, they likely contain aspartame — a poison linked to plenty of neurological issues including headaches and migraines, dizziness, nausea, numbness and muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, joint pain…. and on and on….
Aspartame is made up of three ingredients — aspartic acid, phenylalaine and methanol. It was developed in a lab, not in mother nature. Pretty much all treats labeled “sugar free” — diet soda, gum, yogurts, drink powders… etc. contain this poison. Not a good choice.
Dr. Northrup talks about the true dangers of diet soda — a high aspartame offender — and the common addiction with the “high” this sweet, bubbly drink provides. This “high” she explains, is the “party” in the brain before brain cells die. Sweet.
In Hungry for Change Dr. Northrup makes an important statement – “this sugar addiction is not your fault”. The human body is naturally inclined to crave sugar for survival. The human brain is wired to want it. The problem is — we’re taking in WAY too much of it.
But the fact that there is a natural human inclination tells me I can have a little… LOL … and this fact helps me to not beat myself up so much when I get a craving 🙂
I’ve been on a colon and parasite cleanse for the past week and one of the conditions of the cleanse is to “avoid” sugar. I’ve taken the “avoid” part somewhat loosely, and have not completely eliminated all the sugar from my day, but I have tried to keep it under 20 grams — a far improvement from the amount I was consuming.
I know that I am better off with very little of it in my life, but this takes a lot of discipline. (There is sugar in everything!) When I try and eliminate it outright I almost always end up kind of bingeing out on it. I think right now by allowing myself a little bit I am better able to wean myself off and stay away from the sweet binge 🙂
Hungry For Change is offering a free viewing of the film until the end of March. Please check it out — and watch with your loved ones. I believe it shares many important messages.
Much love.
