You may wonder why a nutritionist would need to run herself through a detox program. I should be eating only the healthiest foods out there, right? Ah, if only.
The honest answer is that while I certainly feel my best eating nutrient rich, thoughtfully prepared foods, there is still that part of me that finds comfort and pleasure in many of the foods that don’t serve me as well. Sweet treats, baked goods, ALL the tortilla chips… I could go on, but you get the idea. During the whirlwind of the holiday season, I tend to cave. I tell myself that convenient foods help me get through my busy schedule, or use the season to justify the sweets and comforting, carb-filled dishes. Really though, it’s just me making an excuse to eat some junk food. If this was an isolated event, I wouldn’t need to think twice about it, but as I look back to the choices I’ve made since Thanksgiving, I know I need to shake things up and take some solid, proactive action toward getting myself back to the habits that keep me healthy (and fitting into my jeans, ahem).
When we look a little deeper at the psychology behind sweet cravings, it’s easier to understand how one can end up face down in a stack of donuts, chocolate chip cookies, and buttermilk biscuits. As humans, we are biologically wired to seek out calorie rich, sweet tasting foods. Back in the day, this was a good thing. Food took work, and eating the sweet stuff ensured that we scavenged for fruits and vegetables that would give us much needed energy. However, in today’s world, where we can drive to the market and pick up a week’s worth of calories in various forms that are all too convenient and generally void of real nutrition, and then eat them all while sitting on the couch and watching the latest episode of Top Chef… well, you can see how we not only desensitize our palate, but we do some damage to our overall health and well-being.
So, it’s time to walk the talk. The 21-Day Sugar Detox is a perfect solution for me. Three weeks without sugar, grains or dairy will naturally lead me back to preparing and enjoying the meals that truly make me happy and keep me healthy. I’ll be posting a little something everyday along the way, so please check in if you’ve been wondering about the program. Once I wrap up my 21 days, it could be your turn – I’ll be hosting a private, personalized 21DSD Coaching Group in person here in Sonoma County. Stay tuned for more details!