Princeton University studies have shown that mice fed a high sugar diet undergo a physiological and psychological addiction similar to cocaine addiction. Americans consume on average 150 pounds of sugar a year, fueled by the hidden sugars in most processed foods that we eat, in the form of high fructose corn syrup. It’s not just the obvious sweets like pastries and those in the picture that cause the problem. The majority of processed foods that we purchase containe high fructose corn syrup. This addiction has led to our nationwide epidemic of obesity, heart disease and diabetes. I am a recovering “sugar addict”.

The following tips have helped me as I journey through my recovery:

-Eating protein with every meal, especially breakfast can curb sugar cravings

-Eating whole fruit as a healthy sugar substitute

-Reading labels of all processed foods purchased to find hidden sugars

-Using sugar substitutes in diet sodas and other products (this is controversial and not recommended by many, but for me, it’s my sugar “methadone”)

If you are a sugar addict, I wish you luck on your journey. It is a lifelong struggle to fight mass media advertising along with our body’s natural response to sugar.