Sugar Rush
Let’s take a moment to reflect on all things sweet. Think of the comfort of freshly baked cookies, a drizzle of delicious honey on virtually anything, or a bite of amazing artisanal chocolate. I have craved the sweet satisfaction punctuation point to close a wonderful end meal since a young age. However, like so many of us I’ve confronted my own sugar addiction on numerous occasions. Whilst abstaining completely might work for health reasons it would be very challenging for me to limit myself to being a ‘sugar free’ chef. I love to cook and bake, and of course sweet treats are so often part of joyful celebration. Dinner parties without dessert always feel incomplete and anticlimactic but I am aware of not wanting to bombard people with sugar and leave them lethargic or with an unwanted sugar rush.
Without sounding hazardously preachy, in practice, I find that moderation is key. I try to reduce the quantities and use honey, organic coconut sugar or dates as much as possible. Of course from a nutrition point it’s all sugar but I do feel that the negative effects are reduced by using more natural replacements.
I have personally felt unwell, anxious and bloated after eating dishes with an excessive amount of processed sugar. I have suffered particularly with inflammation, headaches, lethargy and even an unwanted insatiable craving for more which leads to guilt and can triggers psychological issues. All from an innocent looking shop bought packet of biccies.
Of course, everyone is different but I find my clients, especially on retreats, prefer to eat only a small amount of sugar whilst enjoying the sense of satisfaction and celebration that comes with a sweeter treat. I use carob, bananas and drizzles of honey to elevate the sweetness of snacks and treats.
I have included some my recipes for treats that won’t leave you with a crazy sugar high.