Day 8
Nothing like dental surgery, a leaky water heater that needs to be replaced, and water damage in the master closet to test our stress levels.  The dental surgery was planned, the results of a poor diet and too many sweetened carbonated beverages as a child.  The water heater overflowed and the water made its way into the master closet, soaking the carpet and pad. However, removing the water heater revealed a leaky pipe. From the damage to the wood, we believe the leak has been dripping for a while. We’re thankful we found it before the damage extended beyond a small area.
A similar scenario plays out in our bodies. From what I’m understanding in It Starts with Food, the foods choices we make can play a role in creating internal damage not necessarily apparent on the outside. Until something goes wrong causing us to investigate, it could continue unchecked for years, wreaking havoc on our systems.

Chapter 8: Sugar, Sweetener, and Alcohol
Well. Here it is. The chapter a sugaraholic dreads. We all know too much sugar is not good for us. And we really want to control our urges. And we tell ourselves we’re eating it in moderation. But, confession time, I have found, at least for me, one homemade chocolate chip cookie leads to another, and another, and maybe another (not to mention the dough I sampled while making them). A weekend trip to DQ for a treat becomes a weekly family outing. And Pinterest. Sigh. It’s like someone with a gambling problem browsing vacation packages to Las Vegas or Atlantic City. Or an alcoholic perusing a winery or distillery catalog. Not a good combination. Then, when you consider all the insidious ways sugar shows up in our processed food (see my soap box rants from previous days’ blogs), it’s no wonder we’re addicted.
Back to the chapter. The authors lay out 4 standards to which they believe food should adhere.
The food we eat should:
1. Promote a healthy psychological response.
2. Promote a healthy hormonal response.
3. Support a healthy gut.
4. Support immune function and minimize inflammation.
Sugar, Sweeteners, and alcohol fail all 4 of their tests and provide zero nutritional value.
Obviously, we want to enjoy life, and sweet delicacies bring enjoyment. But we need to make educated (read the labels) decisions about food and we can no longer justify our choices with marketing labels trying to convince us something is “good” for us.

Overall
Tired. But I blame the dental surgery and the crazy, water-stressed day.

8 down, 22 to go.