Sugar’s Got Me Feeling A Bit Bitter🍫
Ahh, food is rooted in our senses, something we delight in for the first time starts as inconsequential heartstrings in our chests and slowly become weights heavy with emotion, in my case that particular food is brownies.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner and with it being the new year (think resolutions), you can see where there would be conflict, do I want to indulge in fudgy goodness on the month that basically reveres chocolate? Yes, wouldn’t you?
We’re Suckers for Sugar 🍬
Somehow the fact that the earth completed a full orbit around the sun makes us all want to reconsider our cravings, in particular, our sweet tooth, and for good reason. Sugar lights up the pleasure and reward center of our brain, science tells us that the more sugar we eat, the more we will crave it, a bittersweet cycle. (I’ll see myself out)
Our bodies are not made to take on this excess amount of sugar and yet, over a third of the calories we consume come from added sugar (natural sugar from fruits is processed differently.) Excessive sugar consumption is associated with decreased immunity, some chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, pain syndromes, irritable bowel syndrome, ADD, heart disease, and obesity. It’s hard to kick our sugar habit, mainly because our brains have become addicted to the natural opioids that are triggered each time we go for a sugar rush.
To recap: We have become conditioned to needing something sweet to feel satisfied, self-medicating with sugar looking for instant gratification, how are we supposed to combat these cravings and more importantly stave off withdrawal symptoms? 🥴
Below are some doctor recommendations on how to fight sugar cravings (without turning into a monster) 👹
Eat regularly —This ensures blood sugar stay leveled when your blood sugar drops you tend to feel hungry and are more likely to crave sweet sugary snacks.
Choose whole foods —The closer a food is to its original form, the less processed sugar it will contain.
Have a breakfast of protein, fat, and phytonutrients —Eating a good breakfast is essential to prevent sugar cravings, avoid heavy breakfasts full of starch.
Incorporate protein and/or fat with each meal —This will aid in controlling blood sugar levels.
Add spices. Coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom naturally sweeten your foods + reduce cravings. Cinnamon actually helps balance sugar levels in the blood.
Move your body —Exercise in whatever form helps reduce tension boosts your energy and curbs sugar cravings as an energy push.
Get enough sleep —When we are tired we often use sugar for energy to counteract exhaustion.
Breathe —Breathing brings you back to a present state, a few minutes of this and you will help the craving pass.
Indulge in fruit —Fruits satisfy sweet cravings and are much healthier.
For Fudge Sake Just Hand Over the Recipe! 😤
Fine, I know you’re not here to get indoctrinated on anything that does not revolve around chocolate atm so without further ado, below you’ll find the recipe for chewy, brownies that are gluten, dairy, and grain-free!
Ingredients
½ cup of unsweetened almond milk
3 tablespoons flaxseed meal
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup of coconut or date sugar
⅓ cup vegetable oil
⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
⅔ cup garbanzo flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon of kosher salt
Directions
The oven should be preheated to 325F. Prep an 8-inch baking pan and line the pan with parchment paper while leaving some extra on the sides to be able to pull out easier, top with nonstick cooking spray.
In a mixing bowl add ingredients, starting with dry first and then adding liquids.
Whisk using a spatula or using an electric mixer until the mixture is silky smooth.
Pour the batter on the pan and coat evenly. Put in the oven for 30-35 minutes until the center is done. To know if they are ready, use a toothpick, if it comes out clean, you know it is done.
Wait for it to cool before cutting it up, these will come out chewy so just cut with caution.
These Sugar Alternatives Are Pretty Sweet🤗
Coconut sugar —Lower glycemic index than sugar, extracted from the sap of coconut palm, contains a few nutrients, including iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium, as well as antioxidants.
Honey —Studies showed that honey has slightly less harmful effects on blood sugar levels and metabolism than regular sugar.
Date sugar —Both low on the glycemic index due to its high fiber content and lower in fructose than most sweeteners.
Now go forth and be merry à la my childhood hero, Bruce Bogtrotter, I’m rooting for you!
Hungry for more?
Try these miso-glazed cauliflower bites. 🥡
Can I interest you in salads? 🥗
Plan your weekend brunch around these fluffy, vegan pancakes. 🥞
Try this nacho average “queso” dip and ditch dairy! 🧀
Curb your caffeine addiction with these alternative energizing drinks.
Check out our IG for more #foodspo! 🤤