Do you have a sweet tooth? Do you crave something sweet after meals?

I had a sweet tooth when I was younger and then really didn't for much of my adult life. When I lived in Brazil, I was in the habit of eating something sweet after lunch as there was always a free sweet coffee and dessert available.

Was it really free, though? That sugar rush jolt to the system probably did have a cost. But that was more of a habit, not a craving, and most definitely not a necessity.
I noticed that during perimenopause, my sugar cravings increased. I discovered that hormonal changes could cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels and insulin resistance, leading to sugar cravings. Menopausal symptoms such as mood swings, fatigue, and anxiety can also trigger sugar cravings, temporarily boosting energy levels and mood.

Research has shown that women going through menopause are more likely to consume sugary foods and drinks than women who are not experiencing menopause.

After many frustrating nights,I had an explanation for some of the weight I was gaining.

I also was having issues with inflammation. I got frozen shoulder back in September, which gradually worsened over the next six months. Pain like you wouldn't believe! Guess what one of the things that helped it was Cutting out processed sugar! Sugar addiction has become a widespread problem among people. It's hard to resist the sweet flavor, and it's not just tempting – it's addictive. Sugar activates the reward centers in the brain, causing a surge of pleasure, satisfaction, and happiness. Like a drug, sugar is hard to quit, and once consumed, it triggers an urgent desire for even more.

Processed sugar is everywhere, and it's hard to notice how much we consume daily. Sugar might appear in any food--a cake, a salad dressing or even ketchup. Sugar is processed like drugs to quickly metabolize, stimulating appetite and making us long for more.

Our body also responds to sugar consumption with inflammation. High sugar intake, especially added sugar, may lead to chronic low-grade inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the immune defense system's protective response to injuries and infections, but chronic inflammation may cause damage to our tissues, organs, and DNA. This inflammation response may cause or contribute to many serious health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Having a sweet tooth is embedded in our evolution. While it might feel that sugar exists to tantalize our taste buds, its purpose in nature is to allow our brains to recognize a source of easy energy to be stored in case of a famine, a relic passed down by our ancestors. But now, in modern times, we are surrounded by an abundance of easily accessible food, and we no longer need to hoard sugar the way we did before. This makes it more challenging to resist sugar's seduction as it's everywhere.

The World Health Organization recommends that adults consume no more than six teaspoons of sugar per day, which equates to about 25 grams. However, most people consume much more than this, with some estimates suggesting that the average American consumes over 70 grams of sugar daily. That's almost three times the suggested maximum. Your liver is crying in agony right now.

Just one of the following has the daily limit or more of how much sugar your liver can process before storing the rest as fat. Consider how some of us consume all of these things in one day, sometimes multiple.

A can of regular soda (12 oz or 355 mL) typically contains around 39 grams of sugar, which is more than 1.5 times the recommended daily limit.
A medium-sized (16 oz or 473 mL) flavored latte from a coffee shop can contain up to 30 grams of sugar, depending on the flavor and added syrups.
A small (8 oz or 237 mL) container of fruit-flavored yogurt can contain up to 24 grams of sugar, equivalent to the recommended daily limit.
A serving (2 tbsp or 30 mL) of maple syrup or honey contains around 25 grams of sugar.
A chocolate bar (1.5 oz or 43 grams) can contain up to 21 grams of sugar, depending on the brand and type.

But, guess what? We can live without processed sugar! And we can live much better without it. And we can age much better without it!

It may be everywhere, but with the proper mindset and good habits, you can let it go and not think about it. It's not about willpower or deprivation, either. It's about creating positive, healthy change.

They say it takes 21 days to start a new habit or break an old one. I want you to imagine a life where sugar doesn't rule you, where you can have a bite but not feel like you have to eat the whole thing.

Join me to jumpstart your journey to Your Stellar Body, a smaller waistline, less inflammation, better skin, and so much more.

You’ve got this, and I've got you!

Comment below if you're ready to try to cut out refined sugar, or cut way back!

Get my Five Favorited Food Swaps, to get some ideas on how to swap out healthier foods for less healthy choices.