Here’s a scary fact. When scientists took MRI images of the brains of people consuming sugar and highly addictive drugs like cocaine, the same pleasure centers in the brain started lighting up. Sugar and gluten stimulate those same receptors, and so that is why the best opiod clinics will focus on eliminating those from the diet. Sounds pretty, scary, doesn’t it? But what does it actually mean to your brain and your overall health?

In fact, many of those living with addiction are likely to have underlying acidosis. This is where the pH of the body is too acidic. Being overly acidic causes inflammation inside our stomach and GI track, near our heart and brain, and it causes an increase of various chronic health conditions. Drinking your alkaline water in the morning during this challenge, which is water that is left overnight with lemon slices in it, can be a good beverage option to help as you are working through this overwhelming brain chemistry. You can also use raw apple cider vinegar in your water and do the same, let it sit in the water overnight, stir in the morning and drink. If you are doing intermittent fasting, I have found that both of these items in the morning actually enhance the effects of your fast.

Sugar is truly addictive. That means that it will alter your brain chemistry and over time you start to crave more and more sugar. The urge for your next sweet fix comes more frequently and you need to consume it in larger quantities and like any other drug, it comes with some pretty scary side effects. Not being able to fit into your favorite pair of jeans because of your "seasonal" sugar addiction is going to be the least of your problems.

Yes, there will be weight gain, but with it, and particularly because this weight gain is brought on by consuming too much sugar, you’ll increase your risk of developing Type II Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and with it, an increased risk of stroke. Add to that the extra stress the added weight puts on your joints and tendons and how much harder it is to get enough oxygen pumping through your body, it’s no wonder you feel crappy as you put on weight. All these various health conditions are referred to as metabolic syndrome and it’s just one of the things you can look forward to as you continue to feed your sugar addiction.

But like with a cocaine addiction, harming your body and compromising your health doesn’t really matter all that much when you’re faced with a box of donuts. That’s a serious problem. Then, as with any highly addictive drug, there will be unpleasant withdrawal symptoms as you start to wean your body off of sugar. Don’t believe me? Give it a try.

Cut out all added sugar for a couple of days. No more soda, no more sugar in your coffee, no candy, no cookies, no donuts. That’s just the beginning.  You’ll also want to avoid all foods with added sugars like bread, most salad dressings, ketchup etc. Cut all those foods out and don’t eat anything without checking the label for added sugars. See how you feel after a few hours.

It will start with a little headache and then the headaches will begin.  You’ll start craving something sweet. We’re talking serious cravings. Next, that little headache will start to grow into a full blown pounding head along with joint aches. You may also experience some nausea and don’t be surprised to experience mood swings, too.  Some people will even have flu like symptoms and start to shake a day into their sugar detox.

Doesn't that sound a lot like the withdrawal symptoms of a “serious” drug addiction? That’s because sugar addiction is just that. A serious addiction.

However researchers have shown that overconsumption of highly palatable foods (high fat and high sugar) enhances opioids in the brain. Opioid system dysregulation has been observed in both genetic and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced models of obesity.  So that means that even though very high fat can replace the sugar in your craving brain, too high fat long term isn't great for you either. There is a balancing act of micronutrients and macronutrients that so many factors play into.

When was the last time you went keto? Did you fall back into sugar when you stopped eating high high fat? When was the last time you did a sugar detox? Was is completely miserable?



So today I want you to make sure you eat enough olives, olive oil, avocado, any of those healthy monounsaturated fats and see if it makes a difference.

Cutting all the added sugar out of your diet is much better for your health, but while your body adjusts to your new diet; you can experience some unpleasant sugar detox side effects. They may include headaches, joint and other body aches, nausea and of course higher intensity cravings for all things highly refined and sugared. They key is not to give in and have a piece of candy. Learning this now is essential with all of the Halloween candy around the corner. Rather than beat yourself up, try these three tips to help you make it through the relatively short detox period.

First and foremost make sure you drink plenty of water and are properly hydrated. Electrolytes are so essential to our bodies, and water in general is needed to help with those water soluble nutrients. Not only will staying hydrated help alleviate many of the detox symptoms you may have, it will also help keep you full.

When you feel that detox headache coming on, grab a glass of water. Want a cookie or donut? Get a glass of water, and maybe add a tsp of olive oil to it. One of my favorite strategies when I don’t think I can make it without another sweet treat or when the plate of danishes in the break-room are calling my name is to pour myself a big glass of tea. I drink it slowly and then make myself wait 15 minutes. By then the craving has usually passed, or at the very least, I’m so full with water that I can pass on the sugary stuff. In the morning I have two cups of tea. One is my turmeric and ginger and the other is usually green matcha tea. However caffeine is either a help or a hindrance when you are releasing sugar. It may actually help the headache, or just make it worse.

Vitamin C, B vitamins, and Zinc are all known to help with cravings. Taking a good whole food supplement may be just the thing to help reduce detox side effects and make it through the few not so pleasant days of getting used to consuming a lot less sugar. When my clients shred each month, this is the key essential to make it easier. In addition, you can talk to your medical care provider about supplementing with a few of these micronutrients in higher doses, like magnesium or for those with genetic mutations B-12. However please don’t do this without medical supervision or the advice of your doctor though.




Challengers, I need you to realize that a lot of the cravings and "not feeling well" is in our head. The more we focus on negative side effects of detoxing from sugar, the worse they will get. What else is possible for you today? The best way to avoid this mindset is to stay busy. No, not with a donut in your mouth. The best way to stay busy is to connect with others. Take a walk, or a hike, visit a friend, or visit a retirement home. When we connect with others we can help ourselves in more ways than we can imagine. Sometimes, though, we sabotage ourselves by calling on our friend that we know is baking up a storm for an event. Or we meet up at a coffee shop with lots of sugary treats available. Don't set yourself up to fail because this process feels uncomfortable. This sugar release is just the first part of the equation, but it's the most important part.

While I don’t recommend doing a sugar detox when you’re working, particularly during a busy or stressful time, staying busy is a good idea, and work happens for many people five or more days per week. Stay strong by preparing healthy food and snacks for work, and then make some plans to head out with friends into a safer space during breaks or even just step out to your car for a meditation. At home you can reorganize your closet, let go of those clothes that no longer serve you, or just settle in for a Netflix marathon. Changing your behavior plays into this season of becoming. You are becoming someone that you've always been, just hiding in plain sight.