Day 20

Can you believe it is Day 20!  You once think this day was SO far away but now it is here! Tomorrow is the final day of this cleanse.  I will share with you info tomorrow about ways to get out of the cleanse so you are continuing to be conscious about your wellness.  However, one topic I want to give a little special attention to is weaning back into having Sugar.  You have now gone through 20 days of no sugar.  It is such a gift you have given to your body since processed sugars are very harmful to your body. 

Sugar is Linked to:​

• Tooth decay 
• Obesity.
• Sugar gives you a spike in energy with no nutritional value.  
• Allergies
• Major depression
• Skin Irritations
• ADD/ADHD
• Insomnia
• Colon Issues
• Sugar can cause Type 2 Diabetes

Artificial Sweeteners:
Sugar substitutes are considered any sweetener other than sugar.  Artificial sweeteners are found in “low-calorie, ” “sugar-free,” and  “diet” labeled items.  Artificial sweeteners are synthetic sweeteners that are maybe some what derived from natural products.  People are attracted to artificial sweeteners because they have virtually no calorie count, and they have been told by media advertising.  There have been many recent studies that have come out about artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame that may contribute to cancer and other serious diseases.  Aspartame is 100 times sweeter than sugar.  Yet it has been connected to short term memory and eroded intelligence.  Studies have shown that consuming Aspartame can lead to birth defects, brain tumors, emotional disorders like anxiety and depression, migraines, and many more issues which ultimately cause you to get off balance.  Aspartame is considered by many to be one of the most harmful substance that is consumed today.  GET IT OUT OF YOUR DIET!

There is a great documentary on Netfix or google to watch online called  Sweet Misery.  It is about Aspartame. Information that everyone should know! 

Sugar Substitutes:

• Agave Nectar:    

Agave is made from the same plant that Tequila is made from.   It is a carmel brown colored syrup that has slightly more calories than Table Sugar but because it is much sweeter you need much less.  It contains probiotics too so it nourishes intestinal bacteria.  

• Stevia:

This plant from South America is a zero-calorie sugar. It is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar so you need very little.  Stevia does not cause spikes in blood glucose levels.  You can even grow it yourself!

• Honey:

This is a high antioxidant food. Honey has even been said to help you loose weight.  Eat raw honey and you get all of the beneficial gut bacteria.  It is low glycemic so it keeps blood sugar levels in check.  Its anti-bacterial and anti-viral.

• Blackstrap Molasses:

This is a by-product of sugarcane.  This is high in iron, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Calcium and other antioxidants. 

• Coconut Sugar: 

Coconut Sugar is made from the sap of the palms of a Coconut plant.  It has a low glycemic index and contains many beneficial nutrients and antioxidants. 

My personal favorite is Raw Honey.  I love everything about honey.  How the bees make it is amazing, the taste is delicious, the benefits are incredible and endless.  It is a healing, medicinal sweetener.

Please take the time to look at the ingredients of what you are eating.  You really want to avoid products with cane sugar, table sugar, corn syrup, sucrose, aspartame, etc. etc. etc. I hope this cleanse has brought you to a clearer relationship with food.  I hope you are eating packaged and processed foods less and going with fruits, veggies, grains and beans. When you reintroduce foods back into your diet, please do it with consciousness. Really think about what you are about to put in your mouth do just fill it up.  I will talk more about reintroducing foods back into your diet tomorrow.