![\"\"](\"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/pile-of-sugar-1024x622.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe Neural Response of Dopamine<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nOur brains produce dopamine in response to things our body thinks we need to survive, like sex, for example, as evolution has hardwired humans for procreation, causing the brain to deem sex a necessity for our species to survive. Once dopamine produces feelings of happiness and pleasure, we then obviously want to engage in the actions that produce those feelings again and again. Studies have shown that the consumption of sugar causes the same high rise in dopamine levels in the brain that hard drugs cause. Thus why addicts struggle with sobriety as their brain continues to crave the dopamine that was produced by their substance\/s of choice. Substance use, as well as severe depression, can cause the brain to lose its ability to produce dopamine naturally, causing it to become even harder to give up sugar the longer one uses the substance or is clinically depressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Evolutionary Eating Habits<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThroughout history, humans have needed to consume many calories to survive, which is no longer the case due to advancements in food technology and the way that food is produced now. Although we humans no longer need to consume high amounts of calories, evolution simply has not caught up yet, forcing us to have to rewire our brains consciously with the information we now know to be true about healthy eating choices. This evolutionary hardwiring in combination with long-term use of sugary food and drinks cause the body to develop a high sugar tolerance, which again, can lead to the aforementioned issues listed above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reducing Sugar Is A Process<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nWhen a client is struggling with addiction, they often express feelings of guilt and shame about craving sugary substances in excess. Often, they feel as if they\u2019re switching addictions, which in and of itself makes one feel bad, but they also feel that they should be living a wholistically healthy lifestyle. Don\u2019t get me wrong, this is a great long-term goal, however, one needs to start slowly, taking one step at a time to ensure long-term success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBaby steps. There\u2019s no need to punish yourself for getting sober. This is supposed to be fun, not a chore, remember?\u201d I\u2019ll say with a chuckle. Starting an exercise regimen already puts physical stress on one\u2019s body that they are unaccustomed to, which, even though it is fun, causes the body to need to adapt. That, in addition to having to abstain from the substance of one\u2019s choice, is already enough for anybody to have to cope with. This is why people always have to be told not to beat themselves up over food cravings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reducing sugar intake is something that should be done gradually, over time. We\u2019ll get there eventually, after we tackle all the other obstacles. As the adage goes, \u201cYou gotta learn to walk before you learn to run.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nTambryn Crimson-Dahn<\/a> is a certified personal trainer, fitness coach, nutritionist, and addiction recovery specialist with years of experience. After having worked in the gym industry, she now owns and operates her own company, Crimson Wholistic Fitness<\/a>. She specializes in addiction recovery, depression, anxiety, and overall mental health and wellness, and enjoys psychology as continuing education.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nReferences<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Throughout history, humans have needed to consume many calories to survive, which is no longer the case due to advancements in food technology and the way that food is produced now. Although we humans no longer need to consume high amounts of calories, evolution simply has not caught up yet, forcing us to have to rewire our brains consciously with the information we now know to be true about healthy eating choices. This evolutionary hardwiring in combination with long-term use of sugary food and drinks cause the body to develop a high sugar tolerance, which again, can lead to the aforementioned issues listed above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reducing Sugar Is A Process<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nWhen a client is struggling with addiction, they often express feelings of guilt and shame about craving sugary substances in excess. Often, they feel as if they\u2019re switching addictions, which in and of itself makes one feel bad, but they also feel that they should be living a wholistically healthy lifestyle. Don\u2019t get me wrong, this is a great long-term goal, however, one needs to start slowly, taking one step at a time to ensure long-term success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBaby steps. There\u2019s no need to punish yourself for getting sober. This is supposed to be fun, not a chore, remember?\u201d I\u2019ll say with a chuckle. Starting an exercise regimen already puts physical stress on one\u2019s body that they are unaccustomed to, which, even though it is fun, causes the body to need to adapt. That, in addition to having to abstain from the substance of one\u2019s choice, is already enough for anybody to have to cope with. This is why people always have to be told not to beat themselves up over food cravings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reducing sugar intake is something that should be done gradually, over time. We\u2019ll get there eventually, after we tackle all the other obstacles. As the adage goes, \u201cYou gotta learn to walk before you learn to run.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nTambryn Crimson-Dahn<\/a> is a certified personal trainer, fitness coach, nutritionist, and addiction recovery specialist with years of experience. After having worked in the gym industry, she now owns and operates her own company, Crimson Wholistic Fitness<\/a>. She specializes in addiction recovery, depression, anxiety, and overall mental health and wellness, and enjoys psychology as continuing education.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nReferences<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n