A Gathering Storm

So, everyone - how did you do on our challenge to lose 5 pounds by the 12th? 

I fell short, landing at 166 pounds.  I'll take the three pounds lost, though, and not cry any tears over it.

A few entries ago, the gorgeous Tracy of Picture This suggested that I take a look at a couple of books about sugar addiction.  I've been waiting to read several Low-GI books (library waiting queues, a missed email and suddenly I've got another week or so before it is my turn again.  Sigh...) but I gladly picked up a copy of Potatoes, Not Prozac on Tracy's recommendation.

Whoa.

Have you ever taken one of those tests in a magazine or book that says "If you have 5 or more of these symptoms, you may actually be a monkey?" 

I really like sweet foods.
I eat a lot of sweets.
I am very fond of bread, cereal, popcorn or pasta.
I now have or have had a problem with alcohol or drugs.
One or both of my parents are/were alcoholic.
One or both of my parents are/were especially fond of sugar.
I am overweight and don't seem to be able to easily lose the extra pounds.
I continue to be depressed no matter what I do.
I often find myself overreacting to stress.
I have a history of anger that sometimes surprises even me.

I've bolded the statements that apply to me.  It seemed like uncanny timing that I picked this book up on Sunday and started reading. 

See, Saturday night, my husband and I got a little silly, and each had a few glasses of mead after the kids had gone to bed.  Mead, for those of you who don't know, is a wine made from honey. 

Sunday morning, I woke up fit to kill.  I was angry at everyone and everything.  I couldn't inhale without my exhale sounding like a growl.  It was bizarre, and frightening.

At one point, I told my husband that I had to leave the room, or I was going to start punching things.  Over nothing.  NOTHING. 

I retreated to my bedroom and cracked open this book.  And I recognized myself again and again as I turned the pages.

I put the book aside, and picked up another book by the same author- Little Sugar Addicts, focusing on children and sugar sensitivities.  Again with the Whoa.

Let's look first at your child's behavior

 Does your child ask for sweet foods all the time?

 Does your child have unexpected meltdowns that turn into tantrums or tears?

 Is your child impulsive?

 Does your child have a very short fuse?

 Is your child wildly dramatic and goofy?

 Is your child restless and in motion all the time?

 Is your child known as a motor mouth?

 Does your child have a hard time paying attention?

 Does your child lock into a task for a long time and forget to do anything else?

And check your child's health:

 Does your child have lots of allergies?

 Does your child still wet the bed?

 Does your child have persistent ear infections?

 Is your child overweight?

Does your child come home from school exhausted?

 Has your child been diagnosed with diabetes?

 Has your child been diagnosed with ADD or ODD?

And finally, and perhaps most important are the emotional clues:

 Does your child cry at the drop of a hat?

 Does your child go from being absolutely charming to pouting and moody?

 Does your child have low self-esteem even though he or she is smart, skilled, and capable?

 Does your child feel alone, isolated, not a part of the in-crowd at school or in the playground?

If you checked three or more boxes, you are in the right place. Your child will benefit from a change in diet. If you checked many boxes, do not be alarmed. The more boxes you checked, the more dramatic the results you are going to get by changing what and when your child eats. You may have simply assumed that you have a moody child, or a little goofball who bounces around with motor mouth turned on. You may have just figured these things were a part of your childπs personality or personal style and never considered that there was a biochemical basis and that they are connected. The truth is, all of these symptoms can be rooted in your child's biochemistry. The degree to which your child displays them is very connected to what and when she eats. You may be stunned at the positive changes in your child's behavior as you change the food.

From Little Sugar Addicts, ©Kathleen DesMaisons 2004

 

Hi!  Hello!  These are my kids!  All three of them! This doesn't make me happy.  I'm not done reading these books yet, but I can tell you that the information inside isn't news to me.  I've had the knowledge all along, but I haven't applied it faithfully, because I tend to think I'm special, and don't have to follow dietary rules unless they are convenient.  I mean, I'll make good choices most of the time, but when I'm presented with an "easy" choice, I'll often leap at it.  Especially when it comes to the kids. 

After my temper tantrums on Sunday, and a frank discussion with my husband and kids, we are going to have to make even more drastic changes to our eating.  I'll post this week's menu late this afternoon. 

Comments

[Shrinkingmom]

Good luck! Now that I've eliminated sugar from my diet, I'm going to gradually make changes to my kids' diets. Gradually being the key word, of course!

[Samantha]

Thank you so much for providing the link for Little Sugar Addicts. I have often wondered why my six y/o behaves the way she does, and you may have helped me find the answer!

[Karen Rani]

I met the challenge! Blogged about it here: http://www.troll-baby.com/2006/12/14/unreal/

[Cookie]

It sounds like you've come across some info that can really help you all out.

The transition may be tough, but if you see results (in you and the kids) and more than just weight loss results... it may be encouraging enough to stick with it.

Good luck!! and Good health!!! :)

[tracey]

OMG Jenny, I KNOW! Isn't it unreal?? I will say that when I commented about Little Sugar Addicts I was just beginning to make some dietary changes for my daughter. The first step is adding a ton of protein to the diet and let me tell you, IT IS WORKING! It was really tough at first because I decided to majorly make sugar cuts in conjunction with upping the protein so my daughter was literally going through withdrawls. She was in constant whine mode and totally discontent...at first...but the worst is behind us and although I haven't totally embraced the whole program (it's pretty major) the efforts/changes I have made have made ALL the differece. My daughter is happier and more balanced than she's ever been. Next stop-Potatoes Not Prozac. It's my turn.
I'm eager to hear if anyone else finds success with these progrmas.

[MJ]

Whoa is right. I'm gonna have to take a lookey at these books because some of those conditions are ME!
I see you are a library patron that got skipped....me too. That'll teach me to not read my email.

[Vicky]

Holy Christmas! I'm also gonna have a good look at both of those books. My son and I are both very apparent in those descriptions. I can already see that the reason he is so different from his sisters in behaviour is due to the fact that he eats a lot more sugar than they do. Neither of my girls does dessert, but you won't ever see me or Adam skipping out on it. Thanks for info Jenny.

[chris]

Wow Jenny, I checked even more of those as applying to me and my kids. I am going to have to get that book. Like right now.

Looking forward to hearing how things progress for your family