The Footrest is back today with talk on being sugar-free. Not an easy task, but for those who are interested in becoming sugar-free because of addiction, or for health reasons, remember that certain individuals are prone to becoming addicted. Our brain cells have neurotransmitters, beta-endorphins, which act as a natural painkiller. But for sugar-sensitive persons their normal levels of beta-endorphins may be low and their natural response to beta-endorphin releasing substance, like sugar, may be significantly greater than that of people with ordinary body chemistry – Potatoes not Prozac – Dr. Kathleen DesMaisons. So, for sugar-sensitive people with low beta-endorphins, addiction is possible, and they will receive a high from eating sugars, and drinking alcohol, the brain wanting more to keep its beta-endorphin levels up.
Beta-endorphins, though natural, are opioids, meaning they have a drug-like effect such as heroin does. And what do opioids do? They provide calm, feeling well or better, helps the pain to go away, and can relieve depression, for a while.
So, if you believe or feel you are sugar sensitive and may fit in this category of sugar-sensitive or addiction to sugar or alcohol, then you must clear out your house of what offends you negatively. Replace with complex carbohydrates, eat more fruits and vegetables, and whole grains without all the additives and sugars. Reduce or eliminate sugars and alcohol. Put more proteins on your plate, but not excessive amounts, usually a palm size or 3-4 ounces. Eat salads, dried fruits okay, and snacks like nuts and nut butters or seeds, popcorn without additives. Make sure your nut butters are just nuts without anything else or just salted. There are nuts and nut butters also without salt. Read all ingredients before you buy foods or eat them.
I like to keep giving out small chunks at a time of being sugar-free. There’s much scientific information and much to know. My first newsletter from The Footrest is a good start. If you have questions or want more food/meal recommendations, please let me know.
Recipe ideas: You can roast potatoes and still have mashed potatoes but leave the skins on. Cut them up, season them, and roast them in a pan coated in cooking spray or melted butter until tender.
If gluten free, make your pancake batters, your dough, and other baked recipes with whole grain flours but instead of wheat, use brown rice flour, coconut flour, chickpea flour, and there’s quinoa and oat flours also. You also can add almond flour or almond meal for more protein. I like to mix brown rice with oat flour or coconut flour, and I add some almond flour or meal to it.
You have to experiment and see how your baked goods, your breads, and pizza dough come out and your batters. Don’t be afraid to try. The best part is eating what you’ve made. It’s a joy to cook and a privilege, but if you don’t like to cook and eat out a lot, then stay with simple foods when you order - proteins of eggs, meat, or fish with vegetables and rice or potatoes. Oriental restaurants do offer brown rice, not just white, but stay away from their sweetened sauces.
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Take care and eat well. Wishing you all the best, Giulietta