How It All Started.

From my earliest memories, sugar has played a significant role in my life, shaping not only my palate but also my emotional landscape. I have fond recollections of my childhood paper route which funded my trips to 7-Eleven. One-stop shopping at the end of my day found me riding away, paper route bags flopping in the wind, stocked with a variety of teen magazines, a box of red vines, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, a Heath Bar and an occasional Abba-Zabba.

Sweet treats were not merely desserts; they served as comfort during challenging times. I vividly recall rainy days spent indoors, watching old movies. Choosing that fantasy life to spend my weekend relaxing when most people were out playing in the streets of this idyllic suburb, featured in many movies throughout my teenage years. The simple act of lounging on our living room couch watching movies, devouring my sweets and reading about Scott Baio, Kristy McNichol, Leif Garrett and the latest row on Battle of The Network Stars. These cherished experiences illustrate how sugar and sweets became intertwined with feelings of warmth and comfort, creating lasting ties with sugary delights.

This, of course, continued into my adulthood though the magazines and the sweet treats matured slightly, I still love old movies and westerns and often will have them on during the holidays...while eating my eggnog crème brûlée and my flourless chocolate cake. Once again, stacking the building blocks of comfort and joy around anything topped with real whipping cream. Guilt by association.

While sweets certainly elevated these moments, they also sparked a desire to indulge more frequently, leading to a complicated relationship with sugar as I grew older. As I matured, navigating the desires created by my love for sugar while striving to maintain a healthy lifestyle became a balancing act. It underscores the ongoing challenge of reconciling fond memories of sweetness with the necessity of maintaining a balanced diet amidst a world filled with sugary temptations.

Nope. No Health Issues to Speak Of.

For many individuals, a lifelong affection for sugary treats can often mask the underlying health concerns associated with excessive sugar consumption. My journey towards acknowledging the detrimental effects of sugar on my well-being was catalyzed by a gradual realization—one that unfolded with increasing clarity over time. Initially, my indulgence in desserts and sweetened beverages felt harmless, providing a sense of pleasure and satisfaction. I'd like commit to the story arch here by saying I needed to make a change because of health concerns. The fact is, I am now and always have been a healthy eater, right along side enjoying my sweets. I am in good health and thankful for that simple statement everyday. What began to get to me was low or roller coaster-high energy levels.

In addition to slight fluctuations in weight, I experienced frequent energy crashes, mood swings, and a lingering fatigue that persisted even after a night's rest. These symptoms prompted me to delve deeper into the consequences of a high-sugar diet. I had only found out recently that most my fathers siblings had diabetes, so that pushed my to research how I could make incremental changes, baby steps towards weaning myself to a more moderate sugar intake, addressing my concern that I may have a predisposition to develop some form of diabetes.

This forced me to confront my relationship with sugar and examine how it could coexist with pursuits of better health without sparking feelings of deprivation.

Just Start Something.

Embarking on my journey to reduce sugar intake involved a systematic approach, ensuring that I did some deep thinking about what could actually work for me, consistently. I asked myself, what do I enjoy? What can I honestly deploy that is doable, to start. Below are the specific steps I adopted, each contributing to a gradual yet impactful transformation.

• Incorporating Regular Walking: Walk. Everybody's doing it. If I was feeling less than fabulous or had ideas of Pepperidge Farm Nantucket cookies, self-embedded in my Haagen Dazs coffee ice cream...instead I got up and went outside for a walk. It really works. The physical activity not only boosted my mood but also diminished my cravings for sugary snacks. A simple 45-minute stroll proved to be an effective way to kick off the changes I desired.

• Mindful Consumption: I began to track my sugar intake meticulously, identifying sources of hidden sugars in everyday meals. Reading labels became a habit, allowing me to make informed dietary choices. Additionally, I turned to wearable tech, it's not just for Gen Z! I used a Levels patch, also known as a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). It's a device that helps individuals track their blood sugar levels throughout the day and night.

• Gradually Limiting Sugar: I adopted a strategy of progressively reducing sugar in my diet. Rather than cutting it out abruptly, I started by replacing soda with sparkling water and eliminating dessert from my daily routine. This incremental change made the process more manageable and less overwhelming. In other words, don't bite off more than you can chew!

• Exploring Alternatives: In my quest to maintain sweetness, I began experimenting with natural sugar alternatives such as stevia (no longer use this), monk fruit and oddly enough tried some Just Date products. My favorite is Organic Date Syrup which I use on my greek yogurt. These substitutes provided me the satisfaction of sweetness without the detrimental effects of refined sugar, helping to reshape my palate over time.

• Experimenting with New Recipes: To further diminish my reliance on sugar, I explored new, wholesome recipes that emphasized fruits and nuts as sweetening agents. I particularly deployed the sweet and savory mix of nuts and dried fruits in my salads. Here's one I love: 𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐘: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐂𝐇 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐂𝐊. This exploration not only diversified my meals but also showcased how enjoyable healthy eating could be without sacrificing taste. Additionally, a friend suggested eating a small spoonful of organic coconut, whether in the form of flakes, shredded pieces, or coconut oil, provides a naturally sweet taste that curbs sugar cravings without the negative effects associated with refined sugars. I could not believe the immediate relief of my craving for (insert any treat here)_____________________ !

Through consistent application of these steps, I discovered that reducing sugar intake was not merely an act of denial but rather a journey towards embracing a more balanced and health-conscious lifestyle. Each step reinforced my commitment, ultimately leading to long-lasting change. This really worked for me. The key was trying to incorporate what I actually enjoy doing into these actions. This allowed me to stay consistent and find a bit of joy while doing it!