Stevia. That's what we're talking about in this episode. One version of lab-created, zero-calorie sweetener is designed to “urgently advance sugar reduction around the world" and ”to support good health and well being in our societies”.
That's a big fat corporate word salad....if you ask me.
It's more like a scientific genetic experiment that has no long-term data nor scientific evidence to back up the claim that it supports good health and well being. This trademarked creation EverSweet™ is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar, and is added to millions of products every month (with millions more on the way) without you even knowing it.
But that's the good news. :)
The not so good news is, we are all addicts. #facts
We have a collective sugar addiction and these companies know it, they manipulate it and they use it against us.
Whenever we eat a sweet treat, that triggers the mesolimbic dopamine receptors - the "reward" system in the brain - and causes us to want more, and more, and more. We eat sweet things for the dopamine "hit"...and even though we can choose to reduce our sugar intake, it's really hard.
Think about someone you know who has battled addiction....it's friggin' hard to get clean without intervention.
So, instead of getting "clean" and facing the truth about our sugar addiction, we seek lower calorie or zero calorie foods, drinks and treats - to have a slow and steady high without the negative side effects...because we want to eat healthier.
Maybe it’s akin to going from an expensive cocaine habit a couple of times a day, to a cheap, slow but sustained crack habit every hour.....I dunno...I've never been addicted to cocaine or crack, but that's what it seems like. Especially because sugar triggers the brain in the same way...Anyway...
Don't get it twisted tho....I'm addicted, too. After you hear my candy corn story in this episode, you'll understand...the struggle is real.
We are ALL addicted...and we need an intervention!
This episode is my attempt at intervention. There are many complex layers to this situation. There's (a lot of) money invested, it's a global scheme under the guise of "sustainability", there's a real concerted effort to shove genetically modified ingredients down our throats - everyday, one small dopamine hit at a time.
Maybe it's time to think about "getting clean" together. Let's start eating REAL food. REAL sugar...just a little less of it until we can kick our habit. I support you and I'll start...
My name is Michele...and I'm a sweet-treat addict. There. I've taken the first step. I hope you will join me.
Thanks for listening. Share this episode with another sugar addict, and I appreciate your support. I'll see you on the other side of the plate. p.s. Check out last week's video PSA on how California's current drought is going to impact our food supply this year. Subscribe while you're over there...because why not? |
