As someone who needs structure to stick with goals or plans, I'm finding it very hard to cope with some aspects of living a healthier life. For example, calorie counting. When it comes to dropping pounds, it's proven that you have to burn more calories than you consume to lose weight. It's a known fact. So my go to when I start trying to lose weight is to always use a program to help me track my calorie consumption. For me, My Fitness Pal has been the easiest to use (because you can use the app or their website). BUT many people suggest never counting calories but simply eating better. I find this very frustrating. Because I've seen the results that counting calories can have (two years ago I stuck to my 1200 cal/day for 3 months and lost 16 pounds) it's hard for me wrap my head around the idea of eating as I go without factoring the calories or measuring portions based on calorie count.
As someone who counts calories and tries to avoid the calories and addictions sugar brings, I've been a long time user of artificial sweeteners. Spelnda being my drug of choice. I know artificial sweeteners are highly toxic, I KNOW how bad they are for me, yet I will still reach for a yellow packet before I reach for sugar because I can add a 0 to my calorie count instead of 15. I tell myself it's better because at least it's not as addictive as sugar, but is it? Cognitive dissonance at its finest, people. Did you know white, refined sugar can be just a addictive as cocaine? The coca leaf (used to make cocaine) is inherently harmless, and is used in many things like tea, until it is refined and processed into the powdery, highly addictive drug. Refined cane sugar you buy at the store is not in its natural form either. It is highly processed and treated before it reaches your hands.
I have found what I think would be a great alternative for both cane sugar and artificial sweeteners in coconut sugar. It has a low glycemic index (between 35-38%, which makes it a great alternative for diabetics) and can be more nutritious than cane sugar. According to Madhava, "Coconut sugar has a nutritional content that is richer than cane or beet sugar; it has naturally occurring nutrients, including magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, B vitamins and amino acids (including glutamine). Unlike beet/cane sugar, nothing is added or removed in the production of coconut sugar." It is "an organic, unrefined sweetener that is derived from the nectar of coconut palm tree blossoms. The nectar is boiled to evaporate the water, and the remaining concentrated nectar is crystallized into sugar." Coconut sugar can be used as a 1:1 replacement for cane sugar (white or brown) in baking, cooking, your drinks, etc. It doesn't taste like coconut, more closely to brown sugar, so you wouldn't have to worry about that as a side effect in your recipes.
In trying to lead a healthier lifestyle I want to make the switch from cane sugar to coconut sugar but I'm finding it hard to get past the mental block of having to add 15 cal/tsp to my calorie count. It doesn't seem like much, but it can add up. I know it would be all around better for me, my body, my health, and probably my mental health, but I can't get past that number. This is something I need to work on if I'm going to pursue and overall healthier lifestyle. I may have to stop counting my calories all together and just go with my gut when it comes to making food choices, but I won't go that far. Not yet at least. I'm going to make it a goal of mine for 2014 to not be so hard on myself if I go over my calorie allotment, especially if my list of foods I've eaten for the day consist of fruits, vegetables, unprocessed foods, and overall healthy choices.
Have you ever had trouble changing the way you view your eating habits? Or struggled to overcome certain food addictions? Do you have any recommendations for me?
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