The Truth Part 2
Q: What is it about these foods that leave us wanting more?
CB: There is some really, really interesting research that suggests that you can actually get hooked on the stuff. Addiction might be the word that some people choose. I think that there are people who become desperate for their next sugar fix. When they’re in the midst of these sugar cravings, watch out!
For apparently more than 50 years there have been some scientists who have been exploring the relationships between hunger, satiety, food intake, appetite and what are called endogenous opioids. Those are your body’s own feel good chemicals. Some people suggest – one expert is Dr. Barnard - that food companies that sell these sugary products are as manipulative as tobacco companies and that they are trying to make the foods as seductive as possible.
Q: Can cravings be managed or will they simply go away over time?
CB: My mission is to not only educate people about the sour truth about sugar; my mission is to help people break free. You can do it, there is no question. I did it. I am not temped by cookies and candies anymore. I have broken the spell that sugar had over me completely. You find that life is much sweeter without all these refined sweets. When you’re in the midst of it it’s a little hard to think that you can do it, so one of my goals is to bring people hope as well as bringing them some practical tools and tips.
Q: How has an over-consumption of sugar and refined carbs created an epidemic of obesity and health problems?
CB: We are a nation in a state of sugar shock. It’s hypoglycemia as well as other sugar-related disorders like insulin resistance and diabetes. There are over 150 other disorders that are related to sugar…There are so many health problems that could be related to your habit of eating these processed carbs. It’s really quite startling.
Q: What needs to be done to make people aware of the dangers of sugar and processed foods?
CB: People need to know that their excessive sugar habit could drive them early to their graves. They also need to know that if they quit eating all those fast-acting carbs - or at least drastically cut back on them - they could enjoy much sweeter, happier, and productive lives. Even if folks don’t believe me, they can experiment on their own. I’m convinced that they’ll find, as I have, that you can become much more healthy just by cutting out or curtailing consumption of refined sweets and carbs.
