Egkrateia and Sugar

Egkrateia is a Greek word and means "one who holds himself in" or "the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions". Like any other addiction or habit, if it owns us then we don't own ourselves. Sugar is both physically and emotionally addictive. Like alcohol some people can have a little here and there and are fine but for most of us it is a problem. Americans eat an average of 22 teaspoons of added sugar per day! To put that into perspective imagine yourself sitting down with a sugar bowl and a teaspoon and eating 22 teaspoons full. Sugar is a major culprit in causing or advancing:

-obesity
-diabetes
-gum disease
-preeclampsia
-eczema
-cancer
-wrinkles

Artificial sweeteners are not the answer either as these are typically as bad or worse for our health as sugar and perpetuate the craving for sweets. Try these things instead:

1. Eat frequently. Never go longer than 3 hours without eating. When we are hungry we crave the simple carbs like sugar and when we are hungry we have less power to resist.

2. Eat protein with each meal. It will keep you satisfied longer.

3. Drink a lot of water. The need for water can be easily confused with hunger or food cravings. Herbal teas can also be helpful. Try rooibos. It is a little sweet, good for re hydrating and a pretty red color.

4. Keep some frozen berries on hand and some vanilla yogurt (a lower sugar variety like Mountain High Lowfat Plain or Vanilla or Nancy's). When everyone else is having dessert thaw those berries and put some yogurt on them. It is way tastier than cake!

5. My personal favorite. Develop a taste for very dark, high quality chocolate. Make sure it is 70% cocoa or more. Try Green & Blacks or Theo's both available at Fred Meyers in the natural food section. A little piece of that with some raw nuts can satisfy for hours.

Keep at it and someday you will walk by the dessert table knowing that it has absolutely no power over you because you are "egkrateia".