Eating less sugar, avoiding fruit?
As a child, I was addicted to sugar. I would literally eat candy all day, in between meals and sometimes in lieu of a meal. It wasn’t until I was 20 years old, that I understood the long-term heath ramifications of eating processed sugar. And I began to examine my health at the time and realized that my acne, digestive discomforts, energy levels and moods could all be linked to my sugar intake. I stopped eating processed sugars and limited all types of sugars including fruits. And I turned to grains- bread, rice, quinoa, etc.
Recently I was introduced to this book Medical Medium by Anthony William. A book on the mystery and chronic illnesses of our time. In this book, he has a chapter of Fruit Fear. Most of us have been told to limit fruits, due to their sugar content. As a Chinese Medicine Practitioner, we were taught in school that fruit causes dampness and should be avoided if a person has digestive issues. I have always loved fruit, but I limited my intake as I was minimizing my sugar intake.
Most of us have learned that there are various types of sugar, and all of it is bad. But is fruit bad too? William’s chapter on fruit required me to pause to really think about it. Could something that has been part of our human history for thousands of years be truly bad for us? It is completely unaltered food source.
Fruits contain vitamins, minerals and are naturally sweet. And they are filled with phytonutrients. Thousands of nutrients that give fruits their rich color and texture. Phytonutrients are vital for our cells function and communication. They contribute to the biochemical process of creating healthy organ function, healthier tissues and muscles, a strong immune system and detoxes the body from toxins. The phytonutrients in fruits are filled with antioxidants that protect them from free radicals that are produced from the UV rays of the sunlight, as well as the toxic pollution they are exposed to.
By consuming fruits we are benefiting from the natural antioxidants they provide. Antioxidants are known to reverse aging. One of the best fruits that contain a high amount of antioxidants is wild blueberries. This super food can be found in your frozen fruit section of your grocery stores.
Just eating protein, nuts, and vegetables are not enough. Our bodies need glucose (blood sugar) as it’s our main source of energy. If you deprived your body of sugar, you will end up “cheating” with carbs or sugary desserts. The best form of sugar is fruit. Personally, I have been eating more fruits on a daily basis: fresh raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, kiwis, bananas, and making acai smoothies with wild blueberries. And I feel more energized. Most importantly, I don’t have any sugar cravings. For so many years, I avoid eating too many fruits for fear that I would be consuming too much sugar.
I feel liberated to eat fruit again. Hope you do too!
If you want to read more about Anthony Williams work check out his website: http://www.medicalmedium.com.
