Because of my addiction to sugar I have had first-hand experience of how eating refined sugar impacts us both physically and mentally – reinforced very recently through my daughter’s experience with refined sugars. I have also done some research on the subject.
What I have learned is mind-blowing and makes me wonder how this substance can be sold so widely to the masses!
My daughter is 6 years old and the last time we gave her sugar was when she was about 12-14 months old. However, she recently found a friend at school who was bringing lollies to the school so she decided to have some.
The first day she came home we noticed there was something different about her and her behaviour. She was more jumpy, faster in her actions, loud, hyper, over-sensitive, aggressive when things did not go her way, unreasonable, physically invincible (apparently!?), restless and unable to sit still (at all!).
While some of these behaviours could be classed as ‘normal’ for a 6 year old, they were not normal for my daughter. Don’t get me wrong, she is no saint. She has her tantrums and dummy spits like all other children, but what was different this day was the intensity with which these behaviours were coming out and her inability to listen or be reasoned with.
It was only a few days before she spilled the beans and shared what she was doing at school. This was great as it confirmed the suspicions I was having about the cause of her behavioural changes.
We worked with the school to stop the sugar supply, and in the beginning when the supply was no longer accessible we had a very outraged child (addiction behaviour? Ahh yes!) Once she stopped eating the sugar, she was herself again. She settled completely and we have since talked to her about how she feels different when eating sugar, as opposed to when she doesn’t eat sugar. Now that this has been brought to her attention, and we have spoken to her about it so openly, she has been able to feel this difference in her body and her manner.
How can a behaviour-altering substance such as sugar be sold to the masses like it is nothing special??
And sugar is everywhere; sugar is in almost everything we eat. It is in our breakfast cereal, our snacks, our drinks (even flavoured water!), tomato sauce, tinned tomatoes, a jar of olives, even sundried tomatoes! Have you read the ingredients on the canned vegetables in the supermarket? Sugar is added to creamed corn and kidney beans, for heaven’s sake!
There are not a whole lot of snack options in the supermarket for people who have chosen to cut refined sugars out of their diets, especially sweet snacks. It is almost impossible to find a refined sugar-free sweet that is also gluten and dairy-free in a supermarket, and very rare to find one in a café (here in Australia).
So in order to support myself and my family to be refined sugar-free, I got busy in the kitchen, baking.
It turns out I have a natural ability to make yummy tasting sweets that are refined sugar free, as well as gluten and dairy-free!
These yummy delights really supported me in my commitment to not eat refined sugar ever again. They provided me with an option to be much kinder to myself and to my body as I healed the destructive energy that was allowing me to keep myself dosed-up to the eyeballs with refined sugar and disconnected from myself (and my body).
However, I have since felt that even these can have an effect on my body so I rarely have them anymore… but there is still a place for them in my home.
These yummy delights are very supportive for my daughter as she finds her way in a world filled with foods that contain refined sugars. She wants to ‘fit in’ at school and have sweet food like her friends, so these are a great option for her as they are much gentler and kinder to her little sensitive body.
I have also taken these yummy delights out to local cafes as I felt there was a place for them in the wider community. There are many people struggling with sugar addiction and also many more choosing to make more healthy lifestyle choices for themselves, especially those dealing with illnesses. So they are a brilliant option – plus they taste amazing, even better than the sweets fully loaded with sugar!!
The feedback I have been receiving from clients and the café owners has been very encouraging. People are really enjoying the lightness and flavoursome delights being offered.
It is beautiful to be able to offer the wealth of experience that I have in this area so it can potentially benefit others too. I feel it is an incredible healing for me to be able to give people an option that allows them to take better care of themselves (as I have learned to do for myself over the years). And even if they aren’t consciously choosing this and just eat the yummy delights anyway, they will be blessed by all the love I have made them with… and that is pretty cool I think!
With deep thanks to Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine for showing me that there is another way to live… One that includes great care and love for myself and my body – for what I feed it determines the quality I live my life in every moment of every day.
By Robyn Jones, 38, B.Sc. (Psych), Counsellor, Mother & Baker Extraordinaire, Goonellabah, Australia
Read Part One: Addicted to Sugar… My Drug Addiction
Read Part Two: Exhaustion and the Effects of Sugar Addiction
Further Reading:
Serge Benhayon on Food and Diet
Choices: Weight Loss, Diet, Food & Health
578 Comments
It is fascinating how such a common commodity like refined sugar is accessible to anyone at any time of the day yet it has been compared to as if you are on crack. Either way what is clearly expressed in this blog is that it totally alters our body and our state of being. I know when I have been on sugar then stopped it the impact that it has had on my body and mood is painful. Today I wouldn’t even consider having such a drug.
I find it interesting, the effect that sugar has on children, and yet it is so common place in their diet. But the effects are clear and plain to see. So as a parent, letting go of sugar must also be a process of developing a willingness with oneself to see what is actually and truly going on.
A great place to start freeing ourselves from the sugar addiction, is with our children. When we stop eating sugary foods the difference is huge in us all, as well as the ability to detect too much in almost all foods as you mention. Thank you Robyn.
Considering the impact of sugar on our bodies and the fact that children consume such high qualities of it, could this be a large contributing factor to many children struggling to focus and maintain harmonious relationships at school? Simply observing my classes after a shared birthday cake the behaviour of the children heighten, they become louder, more excited, more hyperactive and less able to remain calm and less able to listen with a steadiness.
Yes I remember that way back in the early eighties I heard of a prison in Lisbon, Portugal, that conducted experiments on sugar consumption and behaviour change. They found that the prisoners became much more aggressive when they had sugary drinks.
It sounds crazy when we liken sugar to illicit drugs, but the effects are not so different – in that it alters our natural state and of course, effects everyone differently…so different bodies react differently in the same way people respond differently to certain drugs. But either way, it has a noticeable impact on the body, and it’s easier to observe in a child who has yet to master the art of control, but take the sugar away from an adult…and look out. No different to quitting smoking or drinking. It’s so interesting.
Having sugar-free foods/desserts is a great way to support people to free themselves from a sugar addiction and for children to fit in with their peers is without a doubt a huge support – certainly helped me and know many others for whom this has also been true.
Robyn, reading this article about the effects of sugar makes me wonder if a lot of behaviour issues that we see with children could be down to sugar and that often we don’t necessarily make this link like you have.
The corrupted way that sugar is being sneaked into the diets of our everyday lives when exposed can feel deeply overwhelming. And the only true way is to start living what we know is true in our bodies, step by step.
With our rates of obesity as high as it is (and seemingly escalating every year) it surely must have a lot to do with the fact that so much of our pre-prepared manufactured food that is eaten in copious amounts at our dinner tables today has such a high sugar content.
Why is it possible to have products that are laced with sugar made for children. There is not a parent in the world that does not see the change sugar brings over a child. I often hear parents say that their child cannot have sugary drinks because they go hyper or they can have the sugary product in the morning , but not later as they will not sleep at night.
But its just not sugar products, we have a name for it “junk food” we make junk food and we feed it to ourselves and our children. Its wonderful Robyn that you are bringing non-junk food to the people and your child.
I agree, these other options offer us not only a different choice, they get us to consider what we usually eat and if there is another way of eating to support us.
It is interesting that it is acceptable to give children, or ourselves, a reward or treat that is laced with refined sugar when this substance is so addictive and harmful to health.
Sugar is literally everywhere and it is great to read this example of your daughter as my daughter has been eating more sugar recently and it is definitely affecting her behaviour, I have suggested a sugar free stint as an experiment but in truth I wasn’t ready for that myself so it is something we are refining and being real and honest about why this avoidance of stillness is such a stubborn issue for us as a family.
It is interesting to read this blog and realise that although I was never a ‘sweet tooth’ the behaviours that are shared are no different if we choose ‘savoury’.
Recently I was at a wedding and there was a beautiful and delicious gluten, dairy and refined sugar free wedding cake. And a lot of the guests were surprised that not only it looked amazing but also the taste was amazing. It tasted pure and natural sweet and it was absolutely made with love.
“How can a behaviour-altering substance such as sugar be sold to the masses like it is nothing special” The million dollar question that society does its best to ignore.
There are a lot of people who are invested in it… too many to count, whether that be the financial investment, or their crutch in life. When we collectively don’t want to let it go as a population we are going to ignore its ill effects, and fight any legislation that might restrict our access to it.
Robyn, thank you for this article. I notice at my local school how sugar directly affects the children, they get racy and hyperactive, my son had refined sugar once and this sent him crazy, he was bouncing off the walls, so he has not had it since, he even gets racy and not himself if he has too much fruit or dried fruit, children are so sensitive and sugar certainly does not support them in anyway; how sugar affects children is a really important discussion to have.
Sugar, amongst many other drugs are readily and legally available in society, for us to medicate ourselves with. The fact is, we are calling for this to be available and as a result the supply continues to flourish and invent new ways to deliver what is being called for. What you have brilliantly presented here Robyn, is that the responsibility, and as such the power, is in our hands, to bring awareness to how our bodies are feeling when we consume such substances, and if we feel unwell or not ourselves, question why we are needing to consume them in the first place. Teaching and encouraging this awareness in our children is then what truly empowers them to learn to make choices for themselves, guided by the intelligence of their own bodies.
I have read all your sugar articles Robyn, and what a way out of the sugar addiction you have made. You are indeed a shiny example for people that eat refined sugar and think there is no way out. Your step by step approach, from awareness on what refined sugar really does, to the practical steps. Congratulations!
Even when we quit sugar for good I find my sprit can still be very clever with using different foods to mask an underlying tiredness or an emotion I do not want to feel.
Mask the feelings of fragility and sensitivity that we can feel in the world yet override with the myriad of dulling foods that we so proudly call “treat foods”.
Very revealing that sugar in the mouth may taste sweet but the effect on our body is anything but sweet. So we have the choice of which to listen to.
“for what I feed it determines the quality I live my life in every moment of every day. ” Ain’t that the truth! Robyn, please make an EBOOK or post your recipes for us all to try. Where can we find them?
Letting go of sugar when one has an addiction can be a challenge. This is what is facing many many people in today’s society, not being able to just stop eating such sugary foods, because they really can’t due to the addiction. It is now being spoken about a lot more that it really has addictive properties, but on the other side, it still comes down to our choices as to how much or how often you eat it.
Sugar is so insidious harming to the body it is a poison no less than alcohol, the problem is it is everywhere, and it takes much diligence to read the labels on all foods for it lurks in the most unsuspecting ones. I love this line Robyn, it brings a smile to my face “And even if they aren’t consciously choosing this and just eat the yummy delights anyway, they will be blessed by all the love I have made them with… and that is pretty cool I think! “
Sugar is so incredibly addictive and most people use the saying ‘a little won’t do any harm’ My own experience is that any amount of refined sugar causes havoc in my body and taking it is definitely not worth it.
It’s incredible how sensitive we are when we allow ourselves to be just that.
The change that you saw in your daughter is striking. I have noticed the same change in myself if I eat dates. They are not refined sugar but they are high in fructose, and I notice I get impatient and grumpy after eating them. It is not worth the after affects. I am much happier without any kind of sugar.
A recent report has just been released showing the rapid increase in the UK about the number of children below the age of five that have had to have teeth removed because of decay… from sugar! The report also listed the small number of children under ONE that had teeth removed. It is becoming harder every day to find food that is not laced with sugar!
it is an extraordinary reflection upon our society that something so insidious and indeed so addictive could be everywhere and it seems in almost everything.
It is great that you were able to have a conversation about the affects of sugar with your daughter in this way, so that she has the opportunity to develop her body awareness from such a young age.
Choosing foods that support me in my health, my stability and my vitality means sugars are no longer part of my diet in any way.
Yes, I agree Heather, If we are choosing foods for heelth, vitality, clarity and stability. Suger is definitely OUT!
Refine sugar is highly addictive and certainly plays havoc with our moods, behaviours and sugar level in our blood, especially noticeable with children but then there comes a point where we may feel the same effects with consuming natural sugars. When our bodies become more and more aware, even natural sugars can give us the effects of refined sugar. It is very interesting to observe this and to notice this in my own body.
Destructive power of sugar and we underestimate it. I still sometimes get caught in the hidden sugars and no wonder why I feel so tired. There is a deeper responsibility here to really check everything and make things that are supportive without the need of refined sugars.
I find that so interesting that sugar makes you tired Amita, I will watch out for that!
In my day I reach a point when I feel tired and eat fruit which then makes me feel more tired! I have been aware of this for some time but choosing deliberately to ignore the messages my body is communicating to me that actually eating the hidden sugar is making me feel worse!… better to go deeper into becoming more aware of what is causing the tiredness in the first place.
How great that you have enabled your daughter to feel for herself the effects of eating sugary foods. If we stop eating sugar because we are told to, there will always be a deeper craving that will catch us out, but when we can feel for ourselves what sugar does and truly feel how that is in our bodies, it is easier to say no. The less sugar we eat generally, the more easily we can feel its effect when we do. Then no willpower is required.
It is an interesting journey in today’s drug fuelled world! When my daughter goes to a party she can eat what she wants, including gluten and dairy, its her opportunity to do what everyone else does and feel the consequences of that, and yesterday she got a party bag and just looked at the cake and said I don’t want that and we put it back, no big deal. It can only come from them, if we impose what we want for them in my daughters case she will only rebel and have it in some other way. This way she can claim it for herself.
I agree Carmel and Vanessa, children like us adults have to learn for themselves the effects sugar or any other food has on their body. Trying to control or have rules in the home doesn’t work (I have tried!) and I know living in this way always back fires. We don’t tell an adult what they should or should not eat so why should we tell a child.
Robyn, great question, ‘How can a behaviour-altering substance such as sugar be sold to the masses like it is nothing special??’ Sugar is everywhere and seems to be such a common part of peoples diets, especially children, only yesterday a colleague commented on a little boys behaviour who had just had some chocolate, usually calm this boy was going crazy, he was like a different child, it seems that we often see these behaviour changes and even talk about them but do not stop giving our children these sugary snacks, sugar seems to be such an accepted part of life despite the harm and changes that it causes.
What a great example of what sugar can do to our body. Just realising how many of us have bought into the ‘sweets for treats’ when our bodies are telling us there is really no treat for them in the aftermath.
Robyn, what you describe is quite a pronounced personality change – it may die down as the child gets used to the sugar and may need more sugar to get equally hyper but I have not heard about much (any?) scientific literature that speaks about personality changes through sugar. This would be interesting to investigate.
Great article Robyn, I will pas it through to the supermarket I have approached about their role in society with regard to supplying the right food to people. It is about getting awareness on what sugar does, with the people who are consuming it as well as the suppliers, the shops, restaurants and supermarkets.
This is a brilliant blog and sharing on sugar its effects and the addictions and disruptive behaviours considered normal and i agree too all you share and “With deep thanks to Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine for showing me that there is another way to live… One that includes great care and love for myself and my body – for what I feed it determines the quality I live my life in every moment of every day.”, amazing.
Sugar unleashes and/or feeds the intensity of living in total disconnection to the body. It is a true vacation away from responsibility.
Good question, how can the food industry get away with contaminating everything produced with a substance that causes so much harm.