Because I'd rather not be a mystery to the people wondering about me and my ways with sugar, I'd like to attempt to explain the way I feel about the cultural acceptance and promotion of processed sugar. Simply my perspective...
"What's the big deal, anyway?"
For those who don't pay that close of attention, I'd like to point out that sweets are everywhere! What is the first thing you see when you walk into a grocery store? Pop displays, candy for the nearest holiday, any popular candy, doughnuts, candy bars, and so on. And so the fight begins. A fight because, as most people are familiar with, sugar is highly addictive and its not good for a person in larger amounts, especially on a daily basis. If the store were the only place I had to fight it, that would be great! But it isn't. The schools are full of it. They use it as rewards for accomplishments or just because there is a holiday coming up, a meeting, or sometimes classmates bring it when it's their turn to celebrate their birthday. And FYI, the only months there are not holidays coming up are May (unless you count memorial day, and in terms of school - last week of school is cause for celebration), June-ish ("ish" because Independence Day is just around the corner anyway). August and September. So, one third of the year our lives get a rest from the constant battle with sugar. Or do they? I don't know about you, but we usually have family reunions during summer months and there are fair time, and birthdays scattered throughout the year (which can get really sugary if you have 9 children in your family).
The battle doesn't stop there, my kids get "served" or culturally offered, as I like to call it, sugar many times when they visit an older neighbor, bank, booth, or other places around town. They go to church and are frequently bribed/rewarded with it to be reverent throughout church and then get a treat again at their various activities throughout the week, whether church activities, sports, or other social outing.
Depending on how many birthdays or other special occasions your family attends parties for, the sugar count could sky rocket when these are added into the mix. As you can see, there is enough sugar elsewhere (and way too much at that) that I just don't feel justified, health wise, offering it at home to the family. Which is very sad, because I think that IF a sweet is going to be enjoyed anywhere, it should be in the family.
At this point, I will tell you that several of my children react in negative ways to sugar, as do I. Here are some of the behaviors I see increasing after sugar consumption (i.e. 1 pack of not real fruit snacks, 1 piece of candy, cake, ice cream, etc...) in my family: spaciness, mental fog and decreased clarity, victim mode, poor self image, forgetfulness, tantrums, grouchiness. a decrease in overall health, to name several.
Usually these "side effects" appear within 24 hours. which makes for an extremely stressful 24 hours, especially if I had any sweets. Times 24 hours by the number of times a family member has had sugar in the week and you can see why I would WANT to ELIMINATE this stress causing consumable ingredient.
There are studies all over that have proven the addictive-ness of sugar as well as the ill health of those addicted to it, or over-indulging on it. You don't have to search any farther than your own refrigerator or cupboard likely, to find something on the subject, but doing an internet search or asking a doctor will certainly provide you with evidence enough that there really isn't room for unnatural sugars in a person's daily diet if they are eating the amounts of healthy food they should be.
Should I feel so alone in this?
Okay, so, who, reading this, knows very many children who will refuse sugar when left to themselves? I know this depends on how well they have been trained, as well as personality, but really it should not be counted on for kids/youth to refuse something their tongue is so delighted in without heavy coaching and training.
And this is where I feel quite alone. Shouldn't the ones that offer my children candy - neighbors, family, friends, church members, teachers, and other community leaders (all well-meaning, of course)- also be training and teaching all children they come in contact with to refuse things that are not healthy for them? By offering them candy, are they not saying, "Here, have something sweet, that really won't do your body any good, but rather stress it out over time?"
I strongly feel that words of encouragement or compliments are much better than offering someone something that really isn't nutritious.
Some people can handle sugar better than others, but nobody should assume that it's a harmless treat.
On the flip side...
This being said, I also believe that sugar is what we make it... to some degree. A homemade treat that is enjoyed by a family in modest amounts, together after eating a healthy meal - to celebrate a birthday or a holiday or family get together is something I think is a beautiful tradition. Especially if blessed with faith and love to be edifying to God's purposes.
I am much more apt to eat a piece of my mother's pecan pie at Christmas time than I am to eat a piece of bubble gum that got thrown in my direction at the parade, because the first option brings with it memories of family, good times, love, games and friendship. Although, I likely still won't enjoy the best of health, physically over the few days after eating even the pecan pie, because my body wants earth foods. Straight from the earth, when possible. It still may be worth eating the pie because of the memory associated with it, but here's where I need to gauge and check myself to make sure I am not taxing my body when I haven't put in enough deposits to afford that tax.
It is because of this feeling - the bringing to mind happy memories - that I think people offer it elsewhere, in the first place. But the situation is not the same, and it makes it so that people feel less free to enjoy it as a family, because their family has already had it at the birthday celebration for their classmate, the activity they just participated in wherein candy crafts were made, or the sports event they just participated in, etc...
The dilemma comes when I think of how the person offering is just trying to be nice the way they were taught to...
To accept candy from someone because it was offered in love should be fine, right?
Well, we have tried this as a family, and individually. The results were still negative from sugar/refined flour, but less of the feelings of low self worth because of the love that was offered with the sugar. But, I in particular, still usually end up feeling bad for eating something that made me less hungry for the healthy stuff, or just didn't make me feel good in general.
Why not eat the sugar?
Because... our bodies need foods that grow on trees and vines.
Our bodies need food from the earth that has not been taken apart and changed from it's natural state into something that is so unnatural. If our bodies are really dust, and unto dust we shall return, then it makes sense to me that I should eat food that grows from the stuff I'm made of. And teach and train my children to do the same.
What can I do?
In order for things to change, I must change. I must become more vocal about my desires in loving, respectful and educational ways that encourage people to make more health conscious choices in cultural food offerings. What can you do? That's up to you.
I am thankful for my community's offering of love and efforts to train good behavior into my children and bond with them. It is my hope that the efforts will eventually simplify and be kept in the form of words, healthy food, stories, stickers, or just actions, or positive interactions. Kind words or deeds are remembered and appreciated perhaps even better when no processed foods are involved. Less is more when it comes to processed sugar, IMHO.
#studyaboutsugar
#whatiswholesome?
#leavesugaruptothefamily
#scripturaldiet
#Godsfoods
#lovedoesnthavetobesugar
