A Sugar Addiction

When it comes to us cupcake fanatics (and cake fanatics in general), there are those of us who are Team Cake and those of us who are Team Frosting. I am Team Frosting all. the. way. Don’t get me wrong, it’s obviously the combination of the two that makes it so great, but adding a little extra frosting on top only makes things better. Amiright?

One night last week, the day I started typing this post, I had just finished off the last of a container of Funfetti frosting. No, I didn’t eat the entire thing at once. There was probably about a quarter cup left. I told myself, “Just one spoonful.” I put the container back in the fridge, continued to clean up the kitchen from dinner, and then went back for more. After another bite or two, I realized there wasn’t much left and I was at the point of no return. I had to finish it. There wasn’t enough to justify putting it back in the fridge for later.

The things I tell myself.

Fast-forward to another night this past weekend. I finished dinner, which of course meant it was time for dessert. I had a serving of a No-Bake Banana Cream Cheesecake that I had prepared that afternoon. But I couldn’t stop there. Greg was eating some Peanut M&Ms and I couldn’t resist. I told myself I’d just have a couple. Yeahhhh right. About 20 M&Ms later, I became angry at myself for going overboard and took the bag back to the freezer (side note – if you don’t already, I highly recommend storing your M&Ms in the freezer. They even better sucking on them cold!)

Why can’t I just have a single serving of a sweet treat and call it a night? Why do I always have to go back for more when I’ve clearly had my dose of sugar? 

I think it’s finally time I admit it. I’m saying it out loud (if we can just consider typing this on the internet for the whole world to see being ‘out loud’). I, Brittany, am addicted to sugar. 

This may seem dramatic or like I’m just trying to be cute. But no, in all seriousness, I am addicted. It’s a real thing (look it up if you don’t believe me) and the more I think about it, the more I believe it. 

Like many addictions, I feel like I have to have it. I think it about all the time and revolve other meals around dessert – making sure I don’t eat too much during the day so I will have the calories “left over” for my nightly indulgence. I can tell myself I have it under control, but just a little taste only causes me to want more and more.

It wasn’t always this way either, but over the past several weeks I’ve noticed myself continually going back for more even after I’ve just finished a bowl of fro yo with whipped cream and sprinkles and a piece of chocolate and, and, and…

Call it lack of self-control or an over-active sweet tooth. But I’m diagnosing myself with a sugar addiction. A real, true, serious sugar addiction. 

I’m not a doctor or a nutritional expert, but I do like to think I have a pretty good grasp on what it means to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Recently, this so-called balance is taking an unhealthy turn for the worse. Although my total caloric intake has remained about the same (yes, I count calories, but we can talk about that another day), more of those calories have been the wrong kind.

That is why this week I’m challenging myself. I’m not eliminating sugar completely, but I am drastically cutting back. I bought those Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Bliss candies, and counting on those to keep me sane. I am allowing myself two of those each night this week as dessert and that is it! Greg is here to hold me accountable in case my self-control falters. I told him if I try to eat candy or fro yo or any junk food after dinner, besides my allotted two pieces of chocolate, that he needs to yell at me to go get an apple!

I don’t want to say I can’t eat a post-dinner snack if for some reason I feel hungry, because I think it’s important not to let myself feel deprived. Instead, I’ll have a piece of fruit or a small bowl of this granola (link to recipe can be found below). Something with substance and nutritional value.

I’m hoping cutting back this week will remind me what a normal, healthy serving of sweets is and then I can proceed with life as usual, eating controlled portions again.

Okay, so I know I’ve practically written you a novel today, but I needed to get this out. Thanks for reading and pray for me that I stay focused with my goal this week!

The recipe for the granola shown above can be found here. (It’s called Crunchy Quinoa, Toasted Almond and Dark Chocolate Brown Butter Granola. Ummm yeah, you want to make it!!)