Is sugar really the devil?

Well, let me just start by saying, YES, a delicious, addictive, devil. (insert laughy emoji here). Ok, so lemme just be clear, I love sugar, and I'm talking processed sugar here.

I eat sugar on occasion, cookies of most kinds are my favorite and I can sniff out a cake or donut within five miles... and no I'm not kidding. I love sugar, but it doesn't love me... kinda like crack cocaine, you think it's your friend but it really wants to bring you back for more.

Since becoming a coach I've really had to study nutrition and why our bodies need what they need and how they use what they use. We launched a program almost two years ago that does a visual presentation on how much sugar the average human takes in within a year... it made me want to vomit. There are 56 names for sugar! Did you know that? If you see something that says 'sugar free' or 'fat free' AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE. Do you KNOW how they remove sugar from something? THEY ADD FREAKING SUGAR! It's just named something else; glucose, palm, syrup, fructose, dextrose, lactose, sucrose, sucralose (found in mouthwash!), maltose, galactose... the list goes on. It is SCARY how much sugar is in food we don't have a clue about. Do you know how they make skim milk? YEP! They add sugar! DUDES! we have perpetuated a cycle that is dangerous, it is setting our kids up for failure and a lifetime of addiction.

Let me be clear, natural sugar from fruit is delicious and it's good for your body. Did you know that 1/2 a banana is a serving and people who make a smoothie with a banana and other fruit have already gone over their allotment for a days fruit intake? If we don't know what our body needs, how can we even fuel it properly? There are so many sugar free, fat free, carb free diets floating around out there, it pisses me off to no end. But it is the reality we face so we MUST be diligent in researching the foods we eat, the way our body uses fuel... or if you're not interested in researching, join our workout group, it's already figured for you.

I don't say this to rope you in to what I do, I say it because I'm an auntie. With D's family we have 19 nieces and nephews, I don't want them to be overweight or have rotted teeth or live a life addicted to the dangerous white powder. Did you know that sugar is MORE ADDICTIVE THAN COCAINE? It's true, look it up!

Know what you're eating, clean whole foods are the BEST thing you can give your body. Dark chocolate, fruit, small amounts of stevia if you need it. Let's focus on fueling ourselves and filling our bellies with scripture instead of food of any kind.

Sugar is delicious, I ain't gonna lie. I still treat myself on occasion but I also know I need to drink a ton of water and have my veggies in for the day.

There is a way to enjoy life and the foods you eat without it having to be processed from a box chucked with fake crap and sugar.

I hear all the time how expensive it is to eat healthy and that just isn't true. I save over $230 a month on food because I prep food weekly, mostly eat at home and freeze what I don't eat so I can reuse it later. You just have to know how to buy and shop.

Know what you're eating. Know what you're feeding your family. It matters. It is important. Many people could CURE their ailments if they'd change their diet and eat whole foods. Don't eat your feelings, don't let sugar rule your life. Enjoy the occasional treat and find dessert options that use real, raw, organic ingredients, not fake processed non-food.