You Don’t Have A Sweet Tooth
When I hear clients say “I have a sweet tooth”, I get a similar image that I used to get as a kid during a thunderstorm. Anyone else hear that sweet little story about God at the bowling alley. When we are kids, sometimes adults explain things to us in a way that doesn’t exactly make sense, but somehow makes us feel better. It’s the EXACT same thing with having a “sweet tooth”. I am guessing that some sweet old grandma said it to a child generations ago so they wouldn’t feel bad about having an extra cookie, and now we simply just let it be true. 9 out of 10 of my health coaching clients admit to me they have a sweet tooth in our first sessions together. So is it a real thing, or what?
At a certain point, we outgrew the idea that God is bowling up in heaven and making all sorts of a racket. We start to understand the science behind storms and why thunder and lightning happen. So shouldn’t we take a look at why we crave sugar at the end of the day or simply have no off button when it comes to certain things? Well, what are we waiting for??
The Purpose of sugar
Sugar is the primary source of energy for your body. I will say that again. Sugar is the primary source of energy for your body. Glucose, specifically, is essential for brain and central nervous function. Long story short: we not only NEED sugar, but we USE it.. A LOT. In order to use something, we have to have a some sort of supply of it. For most of us, our glucose intake comes from our body breaking down carbohydrates. You know, those really “evil” things that everyone wants to make the bad guy.
Now, I can tell your wheels are already starting to spin. If glucose is necessary for cellular energy, brain function, and the central nervous system, then why is it the bad guy. So I will give you a little pat on the back here and say you are heading in the right direction. Sugar is not and never has been the enemy. (Yes, even if you have diabetes.) There is a connection here between physiological function and purpose and a more primal desire for safety and survival that I want to address today. This is where a lot of my clients get stuck in their relationship to sweets. Going from meeting a physical need for sugar to meeting an emotional need with sugar.
sugar=Safe
The twisted relationship we have with sugar comes from that primal desire for safety. I like to think of our primal needs as the ones that helped us get where we are today as humans. Basic survival. Food equals safety. Sugar being the quickest to digest and quickest fuel source, we have a strong desire and liking for it.
In today’s world, we use sugar as a tool to help us feel safe beyond what our actual physical need for the macronutrient is. In a world overflowing with stress, 24/7 news, relationship issues, nonstop work, parenting responsiblities, and on and on, it’s no wonder we have diabetes running rampant. The problem isn’t sugar though. The problem is how we vilify it, use it inappropriately, and don’t respect it for how it supports our body.
Do this
So if the answer isn’t getting rid of sugar completely OR using it in a misguided way, what is the healthiest way to move forward? Here is what I recommend to my health coaching clients.
Start to become aware. Do a daily log so that you can see your intake and any patterns.
Become informed on what your needs are. Visit an online calculator to figure out your caloric and sugar needs to use as a guide.
Hone in on your weak moments. What happened just before? What were you feeling? How did you feel after? What feelings were you avoiding?
Get uncomfortable. Let yourself feel. Reach out for connection. Find other healthy ways to meet those needs for safety.
Find a trusted health coach to guide you through the process, offer insights, and graceful accountability.
