As I manage and create this blog, I’m working on incorporating more personal stories and struggles. This has many purposes but one is to establish a sense of us and not me vs you, or instilling views of superiority. While I am blessed in many ways, I have many crosses, some heavier than others, that I bear, just like all of us. On of these crosses is this mysterious double edged sword of appetite. On the one hand, I can eat a gross amount of food without significant repercussions, at least for the short term. On the other hand, I have a sweet tooth and this doesn’t bode well for future me. With my background and current treatment of patients, I’m more than aware of what long term sugar addiction leads to.
Some might say “Oh! You get to eat whatever you want and not gain weight! Boo hoo!” Well I used to think that way too. “This is great! It’s every person’s dream!” Well, you can only get away with things for so long before life catches up to you. So I’ve tried to get steer away from sugar but have failed many times. It really is an addictive substance. This is compounded by the fact that I usually get baked good on sale, so not only can I get what I want, but I have the added benefit of saving money. Seems like a win-win right? Wrong.
I have seen the downstream effects in many of my patients and I know the evidence that long term high sugar intake causes systemic inflammation and affects nearly every system in your body. Yes diabetes, but also cognitive decline, contributions to heart and lung dysfunction and disease, joint inflammation and pain, and slower healing times. Not a pretty picture. More importantly, and the main purpose of this post, is that intake of food in that type and proportion, is not serving God.
Before, I eluded to the fact that I have tried several times and failed in reference to me reducing sugar intake. I had tried complete abstinence, moderation, binging then quitting; all of it. To no avail. I think it’s because I’ve been trying to do it on my own and for the simple reason that it isn’t good for me. Like any addiction, I know it’s not good yet I keep coming back for more. I keep seeking out that release of dopamine, a brain chemical called a neurotransmitter that is tied to addiction. I need a better reason than that. So for me it’s how is this bringing me closer or further from God. Is this putting me on the path He wants me on?
I will continue to struggle with this because it has been decades. We all have something like this. I believe the solution lies is God’s call to be better. To serve Him. Me gorging on sugary foods is not serving Him because it disrespects the temple that is my body. From 1 Corinthians “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Cor 6:19-20)
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