I know I go on and on about the importance of reducing your sugar intake, but it really is my number one take-out-of-your-diet ingredient. Because sugar is so utterly addictive (and pervasive) it’s certainly not easy, but once you reduce your intake you’ll feel so much better and really notice the difference. Expect less cravings, irritability and weight-gain, and more stabilized moods, better sleeps and an overall more positive outlook. Read more in my sugar blog here.
For those out there who are already refined sugar-free, you’re probably aware of the benefits of also reducing the amount of natural sugars like fruit, dried fruit, coconut sugar, maple syrup and honey in your diets too. WHAT?! Now fruit is bad for you? Well no, it’s not bad if you have one piece of fruit a day or every other day. However, consuming bowls full of fruit, fruit smoothies, raw vegan desserts or paleo chocolate cakes made with organic coconut sugar every day is still a burden on your system. These foods are treats, and shouldn’t be a daily part of your diet.
WHY? Because natural sugars contain fructose which all have to be digested by the liver. This can be problematic because:
1) Our livers are already burdened with having to process environmental pollutants, caused by all manner of factors including: heavy traffic, electronic equipment, poor quality food and stress. Eliminating stress hormones is a BIG job for the liver!
2) Our body cannot register when we’ve had a sufficient amount of fructose. We know when to stop with fat, protein and salt, but with fructose we have no barometer – our warning bells only start ringing once it’s too late and we are suffering from the likes of candida, diabetes, hormone irregularities, mood disorders and so on.
So – here is a very healthy but super tasty recipe to ease you out of sugar cravings, and to help reset the reward systems in your brain!
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Ingredients:
- ½ cup sweet potato, cooked and mashed (no skin)
- 1 cup raw almond or coconut milk
- ¼ cup water
- 1 TBSP coconut cream or almond butter
- 2 ice cubes
- 1 TBSP cacao powder
- Dash of cinnamon and/or vanilla
Directions:
Place all ingredients into a blender until smooth
Pour into a glass and enjoy!
If you are struggling with the lack of sweetness then you can add either of the following:
- 1/2 banana (keep chopped up banana pieces in the freezer as when blended they become deliciously creamy!)
- 2 tsp raw local honey
- 2 dates
TASHA BE 