You probably don’t believe that you have any kind of sugar addiction, instead choosing to cast aside the age old saying which says that if something tastes really good, it’s likely not good for us. Whether this is inherently true or not is open to conjecture, but it certainly applies to an overabundance of sugar. Just as with everything else in life, we should practice moderation, because even though sugar gives us energy, too much too often is definitely unhealthy.

Energy is essential for us to function, and sugar definitely gives this to us in abundance. Our body converts sugar into glucose, but the main problem we face as we indulge in our “instant fix” diets is that we turn to simple sugars, rather than complex sugars or carbohydrates. The simple sugars which are in sweets and soda don’t provide anything of ongoing value to the human body, and unfortunately we often have a tendency to consume added sugars instead of those which are naturally occurring, such as those which are found in fruits, or within a sensible holistic nutrition diet plan.

Generally speaking, foods that have added sugars tend to be very low in value to us, providing little nutrition, but may be loaded in calories which can certainly help to add to the national problem of obesity.

In most diets, sweet drinks represent the primary source of sugar consumption, yet they provide almost nothing at all to us besides strongly contributing to the issue of tooth decay and giving us an intense “sugar rush” feeling, which is quickly followed by a feeling lethargy or sluggishness.

It’s certainly worth while keeping in mind that a 12 ounce can of Coca-Cola contains roughly 10 teaspoons of sugar inside it. If you can easily imagine putting 10 spoons of sugar into a small soda can, it should put you off buying Coca-Cola for at least a little while!

Keep in mind that most sugar cravings are usually put down to just having a “sweet tooth,” and most people don’t give it any further consideration. However, an excessive attention to sugar can lead to mood swings, allergies, chronic fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, blood pressure issues and obesity.

It’s important to understand that the traditional Western diet plays too heavily on convenience, the quick fix, taste enhancements provided by fats or simple sugars and not enough on a balanced caloric intake, common sense and longevity. We might view sugar as our innocent friend but in truth, if not checked, it can lead to serious health issues and a less than productive daily life.

Many people wonder why they’re not as productive as they could be from time to time and often put this down to them just having an off day, whereas in the majority of cases a poor diet is often the reason for our lack of performance. We tend to rely on sugars and temporary fixes or that cup of coffee, not fully comprehending that we are shortcutting our way to problems and should really be looking into holistic health solutions.

Understanding the cold hard facts about your sugar addiction could lead to a more productive and fulfilling life.